A Retrospective Observational Study to Compare the Outcome of Various Treatment Modalities of Idiopathic Avascular Necrosis of Hip

BACKGROUND: Avascular necrosis (AVN) of hip of the femoral head is increasingly seen in young age, disabling them in their productive years of life. Available treatment options need to be evaluated. AIM: The aim was to compare the outcome of various treatments at different stages of AVN hip. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study was done in patients with idiopathic AVN hip, who had undergone different treatment modalities. The data of the included patients at different time intervals were compared. All patients were graded with the help of Harris Hip Score (HHS), and their outcome was evaluated. RESULTS: The age distribution of patients showed that nearly 80% of them were below the age of 50 years. The patients were presenting more often in Ficat and Arlet stage 4 compared to earlier stages. The patients in stage 1 were treated by core decompression alone, which produced good-to-excellent results in 4 of 7 (57.1%) patients. Patients in stage 2 and 3 were treated by core decompression with fibular bone grafting and had good-to-excellent results in 6 of 8 (75%) patients. In stage 4 of disease, cemented total hip replacement (THR) was done, and it produced good-to-excellent results in 13 of 15 (86.6%) patients. CONCLUSION: In the early stage of disease, core decompression with and without bone grafting produced satisfactory results. In an advanced stage of AVN, THR is an excellent treatment option.