[Characteristic changes of blood stasis syndrome in rat model of steroid-induced femoral head necrosis based on the combination of disease, syndrome, and symptom].

The approach combining disease, syndrome, and symptom was employed to investigate the characteristic changes of blood stasis syndrome in a rat model of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head(SONFH) during disease onset and progression. Seventy-two male SD rats were randomized into a healthy control group and a model group. The rat model of SONFH was established by injection of lipopolysaccharide(LPS) in the tail vein at a dose of 20 µg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1) on days 1 and 2 and gluteal intramuscular injection of methylprednisolone sodium succinate(MPS) at a dose of 40 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1) on days 3-5, while the healthy control group received an equal volume of saline. The mechanical pain test, tongue color RGB technique, gait detection, open field test, and inclined plane test were employed to assess hip pain, tongue color, limping, joint activity, and lower limb strength, respectively, at different time points within 21 weeks of modeling. At weeks 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 21 after modeling, histopathological changes of the femoral head were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and micro-CT scanning; four coagulation items were measured by rotational thromboelastometry; and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was employed to determine the levels of six blood lipids, vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), endothelin-1(ET-1), nitric oxide(NO), tissue-type plasminogen activator(t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor factor-1(PAI-1), bone gla protein(BGP), alkaline phosphatase(ALP), receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB(RANKL), osteoprotegerin(OPG), and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b(TRAP5b) in the serum, as well as the levels of 6-keto-prostaglandin 1α(6-keto-PGF1α) and thromboxane B2(TXB2) in the plasma. The results demonstrated that the pathological alterations in the SONFH rats were severer over time. The bone trabecular area ratio, adipocyte number, empty lacuna rate, bone mineral density(BMD), bone volume/tissue volume(BV/TV), trabecular thickness(Tb.Th), trabecular number(Tb.N), bone surface area/bone volume(BS/BV), and trabecular separation(Tb.Sp) all significantly increased or decreased over the modeling time after week 4. Compared with the healthy control group, the mechanical pain threshold, gait swing speed, stride, standing time, and walking cycle of SONFH rats changed significantly within 21 weeks after modeling, with the greatest difference observed 12 weeks after modeling. The time spent in the central zone, rearing score, and maximum tilt angle in the open field test of SONFH rats also changed significantly over the modeling time. Compared with the healthy control group, the R, G, and B values of the tongue color of the model rats decreased significantly, with the greatest difference observed 11 weeks after modeling. The levels of total cholesterol(TC), total triglycerides(TG), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C), and apoprotein B(ApoB) in the SONFH rats changed significantly 4 and 8 weeks after modeling. The levels of VEGF, ET-1, NO, t-PA, PAI-1, 6-keto-PGF1α, TXB2, four coagulation items, and TXB2/6-keto-PGF1α ratio in the serum of SONFH rats changed significantly 4-16 weeks after modeling, with the greatest differences observed 12 weeks after modeling. The levels of BGP, TRAP5b, RANKL, OPG, and RANKL/OPG ratio in the serum of SONFH rats changed significantly 8-21 weeks after modeling. During the entire onset and progression of SONFH in rats, the blood stasis syndrome characteristics such as hyperalgesia, tongue color darkening, gait abnormalities, platelet, vascular, and coagulation dysfunctions were observed, which gradually worsened and then gradually alleviated in the disease course(2-21 weeks), with the most notable differences occurred around 12 weeks after modeling.

Combination of hyperbaric oxygen and core decompression therapies improve outcomes in the treatment of hip osteonecrosis.

INTRODUCTION: To investigate whether combined treatment of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) and core decompression (CD) result with better outcomes and have an additional influence on health quality scores when compared with HBO alone. METHODS: 63 consecutive patients' 80 hips (43 male, 20 female, 17 bilateral), diagnosed with Stage II Osteonecrosis of the femoral head were included in our study. The mean age at presentation in the HBO and CD + HBO groups were 39.9 years and 39.2 years, respectively. The mean follow-up was 39.8 months (24-56 months) for HBO group and 43.1 months (24-58 months) for the CD + HBO group. Standard radiographs and MRI were performed initially and during controls. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the modified Harris Hip Score (HHS), the visual analogue score (VAS) and SF-36 life quality score. RESULTS: 52 hips (65%) were Ficat Stage IIa and 28 hips (35%) were IIb. Totally, 46 hips (30 hips IIa, 16 hips IIb) were in HBO alone group and 34 hips (22 hips IIa, 12 hips IIb) were in CD + HBO group. Both VAS and HHSs were improved in each group after treatment (p < 0.001). When both groups were compared, this improvement was more distinct and evident in CD + HBO combination group than HBO alone group (p < 0.001). The physical function and pain components of SF-36 survey were found to be different in between two groups (p < 0.005). DISCUSSION: HBO treatment decreases pain, increases functional scores for Ficat Stage II patients. Addition of HBO treatment to decompression of the femoral head improves the results better than HBO alone. In particular, reduction of pain is more prevalent for Stage IIa patients than IIb with combination of HBO and CD therapies.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for the treatment of Steinberg I and II avascular necrosis of the femoral head: a report of fifteen cases and literature review.

PURPOSE: This article aimed to report a case series of pre-collapse avascular necrosis of the femoral head treated with hyperbaric oxygen and review the most recent literature on the topic. METHODS: The data from a prospectively followed registry of 15 patients with Steinberg I and II avascular necrosis of the femoral head was collected. Functional outcome, pain scores, and radiographic changes at an average follow-up of 22 months were analyzed and reported. RESULTS: Thirteen patients had satisfactory outcome at final follow-up with an average Oxford hip score of 37.3, pain scores were significantly improved at final follow-up (P < 0.001), and 26.7% of hips progressed to collapse on follow-up radiographs with no complications reported in all patients. CONCLUSION: Hyperbaric oxygen treatment for pre-collapse avascular necrosis of the femoral head is considered a safe alternative with satisfactory clinical and radiological outcomes and low complications rate.

Repetitive 1.6 ATA hyperbaric oxygen therapy for bilateral ARCO Stage II steroid-associated osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy has been demonstrated to have beneficial effects on the early stages of steroid-associated osteonecrosis (SAON) of the femoral head. Since high HBO2 pressure (e.g., 2.4-2.5 atmospheres absolute/ATA) has been commonly considered to have a greater ability to restore tissue oxygenation in the femoral head than low pressure (e.g., 1.6 ATA), the latter HBO2 protocol is rarely used for SAON treatment. In this paper, we present the case of a 36-year-old female diagnosed with bilateral early stage (Association for Research on Osseous Circulation, ARCO stage II) SAON caused by steroid therapy for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Because the patient could not endure high HBO2 pressures, the treatment pressure was adjusted to 1.6 ATA, which was the highest pressure the patient could withstand. After 20 treatment sessions, her symptoms were relieved significantly. Her visual analog score (VAS: using a 0-10 score) decreased from 7 to 2, and after 50 treatment sessions her symptoms disappeared almost completely. A significant improvement was also observed radiologically by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations. This case study provides a potential HBO2 treatment protocol with reduced pressure for early-stage femoral head necrosis. Further research is needed to validate this finding and explore the potential mechanism of HBO2 on SAON.

Tracking Cell Transplants in Femoral Osteonecrosis with Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Proof-of-Concept Study in Patients.

PURPOSE: Osteonecrosis is a devastating complication of high-dose corticosteroid therapy in patients with cancer. Core decompression for prevention of bone collapse has been recently combined with the delivery of autologous concentrated bone marrow aspirates. The purpose of our study was to develop an imaging test for the detection of transplanted bone marrow cells in osteonecrosis lesions. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: In a prospective proof-of-concept clinical trial (NCT02893293), we performed serial MRI studies of nine hip joints of 7 patients with osteonecrosis before and after core decompression. Twenty-four to 48 hours prior to the surgery, we injected ferumoxytol nanoparticles intravenously to label cells in normal bone marrow with iron oxides. During the surgery, iron-labeled bone marrow cells were aspirated from the iliac crest, concentrated, and then injected into the decompression track. Following surgery, patients received follow-up MRI up to 6 months after bone marrow cell transplantation. RESULTS: Iron-labeled cells could be detected in the access canal by a dark (negative) signal on T2-weighted MR images. T2* relaxation times of iron-labeled cell transplants were significantly lower compared with unlabeled cell transplants of control patients who were not injected with ferumoxytol (P = 0.02). Clinical outcomes of patients who received ferumoxytol-labeled or unlabeled cell transplants were not significantly different (P = 1), suggesting that the added ferumoxytol administration did not negatively affect bone repair. CONCLUSIONS: This immediately clinically applicable imaging test could become a powerful new tool to monitor the effect of therapeutic cells on bone repair outcomes after corticosteroid-induced osteonecrosis.

Effects of electrical stimulation in the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to examine whether the use of an internal electrostimulator could improve the results obtained with core decompression alone in the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of 41 patients (55 hips) treated for osteonecrosis of the femoral head between 2005 and 2014. Mean follow-up time was 56 (12-108) months. We recorded 3 parameters: time to recurrence of pain, time to conversion to arthroplasty and time to radiographic failure. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The equality of the survival distributions was determined by the Log rank test. RESULTS: Implanted electrostimulator was a factor that increased the survival of hips in a pre-op Steinberg stage of II or below, while it remained unchanged if the stage was III or higher. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of an internal electrostimulator provides increased survival compared to core decompression alone at stages below III.

Alumina-alumina total hip arthroplasty for the sequelae of Legg-Calve-Perthes disease: A comparative study with adult-onset osteonecrosis.

BACKGROUND: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) for sequelae of Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (LCPD) involves specific concerns for deformity, leg length discrepancy (LLD), and relatively young age. Excellent long-term outcome has been proven after Alumina-Alumina (Al-Al) THA for relatively young patients, however, there was no study for Al-Al THA for LCPD sequelae. The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of Al-Al THA for LCPD sequelae and to compare the results with those for adult-onset ONFH, in which THA is necessitated in relatively young age and excellent long term outcome has been proven after Al-Al THA. METHODS: Between 1997 and 2007, 41 Al-Al THA were performed in 37 patients with LCPD sequelae and followed-up for mean 10.4 years. Mean age at THA was 43.6 years. Using the propensity score matching, 41 THAs in 37 patients were identified from 339 hips in 256 patients with ONFH. The medical record and radiographic data was retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: During follow-up, no revision was performed in both group. Harris Hip Score increased from 66.7 ± 17.4 points to 96.8 ± 6.8 points in LCPD group and from 47.9 ± 18.4 to 96.6 ± 4.6 in ONFH group. LLD decreased significantly from 2.0 ± 1.2 cm to 0.2 ± 0.9 cm in LCPD group and from 0.5 cm to 0.1 cm in ONFH group. Postoperative LLD showed no difference in both groups. As for complication, rate of intraoperative femoral fracture was significantly higher in LCPD group than in ONFH group. Other postoperative complication showed no difference. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the higher rate of intraoperative femoral crack, outcomes of Al-Al THA for LCPD were comparable to those for ONFH. Similar to ONFH, Al-Al THA may be a reliable treatment option for LCPD.

Vascularized bone grafting fixed by biodegradable magnesium screw for treating osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Hip-preserving surgery with vascularized bone graft implantation has been widely practiced in treating osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). However, the current approach presents a drawback, in which the implanted bone graft without screw fixation may slip or exhibit a certain degree of displacement postoperatively. This study was designed to investigate the application potential of biodegradable magnesium (Mg) screws for the fixation of vascularized bone graft in ONFH patients. Forty-eight patients were randomly divided into two groups: the Mg screw group (vascularized bone grafting fixed by Mg screws) and the control group (vascularized bone grafting without fixation). During 12 month follow-up period after surgery, treatment outcomes in patients were assessed by multiple imaging techniques including x-ray and computed tomography (CT) scanning as well as functional recovery Harris hip score (HHS). The temporal changes in serum levels of Mg, Ca, and P as well as in vivo degradation rate of Mg screws were determined. The absence of potential adverse effects induced by degradation products from Mg screws on surrounding bone tissue was validated via CT imaging analysis. HHS was significantly improved in the Mg screw group when compared to the control group. X-ray imaging analysis showed that the screw shape did not show significant alteration due to the diameter of Mg screws measured with approximate 25% reduction within 12 months post-surgically. The postoperative serum levels of Ca, Mg, and P, which are relevant for liver and kidney function, were all within normal physiological range in all patients of both groups. The use of biodegradable Mg screws may provide a promising bone graft-screw fixation route in treating ONFH and present considerable potential for orthopedic applications.

[Experimental study on preventive effect of Yougui drink on femoral head necrosis in rats under micro CT].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the preventive effect of Yougui drink on femoral head necrosis in rats under micro CT. METHODS: Twenty-five SD rats were divided into steroid hormone group (group A, 10 rats ), Yougui drink group (group B,10 rats) and normal group (group C,5 rats)with random number table. Endotoxin were injected into abdominal cavity of rats in group A and B for 2 days, methylprednisolone sodium succinate were injected by gluteus for twice a week continued for 6 weeks; group B were gavaged by Yougui drink (veryday for 8 weeks; group C did not do any processing. All rats were killed on the 10th weeks,m icro CT were used to scan femoral head in vitro and preventive effect of Yougui drink (n femoral head necrosis in rats. RESULTS: There was statistical significance in BMD, BV/TV, Tb.N, Tb, Th, Thb, Sp, BS/TV and DA but no significance in SMI between group A and B. Comparison between A and C, there was significant meaning in BMD, BV/TV, Tb.N, Tb, Th, Tb, Sp, BS/TV, DA and SMI. CONCLUSION: Yougui drink on femoral head necrosis in rats under micro CT has preventive effect from BMD BV/TV, Tb.N, Tb, Th, Tb, Sp, BS/TV and DA.

The use of an injectable calcium sulphate/calcium phosphate bioceramic in the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study is to describe the rationale, the surgical technique and the early clinical and radiographic results of the treatment of patients with early stage osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) by performing: core decompression, injection of autologous bone marrow concentrate and the use of a new composite injectable bone substitute (PRO-DENSE(®)), as a mechanical supplementation associated with decompression. METHODS: The study included 37 hips (31 patients, 14 females, 17 males; mean age 43.9 years, range 24-56 years) with stages IC-IIIA ONFH. The outcome was determined by the changes in the Harris hip score (HHS), by progression in radiographic stages and by the need for hip replacement. The mean follow-up was 20.6 months (range 12-32 months). RESULTS: At final follow-up the mean HHS increased from 68 points pre-operatively to 86 points post-operatively. The radiological results showed that 29 hips (78.4 %) improved or had no further collapse. The overall clinical success rate of the procedure was 86.5 %, with three conversions to THA, and a failure rate of only 3.3 % in the pre-collapse group. CONCLUSIONS: We are encouraged by these early results using core decompression, injection of the autologous bone marrow concentrate and backfilling the defect with an injectable bioceramic for the treatment of early stages of ONFH; as far as a conclusion can be drawn from the current data, this treatment seems to relieve hip pain and prevent the progression of ONFH in the majority of the cases.

Experimental animal models of osteonecrosis.

Osteonecrosis (ON) or avascular necrosis (AVN) is a common bone metabolic disorder, mostly affecting femoral head. Although many biological, biophysical, and surgical methods have been tested to preserve the femoral head with ON, none has been proven fully satisfactory. It lacks consensus on an optimal approach for treatment. This is due, at least in part, to the lack of ability to systematically compare treatment efficacy using an ideal animal model that mimics full-range osteonecrosis of femoral head (ONFH) in humans with high incidence of joint collapse accompanied by reparative reaction adjacent to the necrotic bone in a reproducible and accessible way. A number of preclinical animal ON models have been established for testing potential efficacy of various modalities developed for prevention and treatment of ON before introduction into clinics for potential applications. This paper describes a number of different methods for creating animal experimental ON models. Advantages and disadvantages of such models are also discussed as reference for future research in battle against this important medical condition.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in femoral head necrosis.

We evaluated hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy on a cohort of patients with femoral head necrosis (FHN). This double-blind, randomized, controlled, prospective study included 20 patients with unilateral FHN. All were Ficat stage II, treated with either compressed oxygen (HBO) or compressed air (HBA). Each patient received 30 treatments of HBO or HBA for 6 weeks. Range of motion, stabilometry, and pain were assessed at the beginning of the study and after 10, 20, and 30 treatments by a blinded physician. After the initial 6-week treatment, the blind was broken; and all HBA patients were offered HBO treatment. At this point, the study becomes observational. Pretreatment, 12-month. and 7 year-follow-up magnetic resonance images were obtained. Statistical comparisons were obtained with nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test. Significant pain improvement for HBO was demonstrated after 20 treatments. Range of motion improved significantly during HBO for all parameters between 20 and 30 treatments. All patients remain substantially pain-free 7 years later: none required hip arthroplasty. Substantial radiographic healing of the osteonecrosis was observed in 7 of 9 hips. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy appears to be a viable treatment modality in patients with Ficat II FHN.

[Effective analysis of continous perfusion with Dandshen and heparin for treatment of femoral head necrosis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of continous perfusion with Danshen and heparin for treatment of femoral head necrosis. METHODS: From April 2004 to June 2007,42 patients of femoral head necrosis were treated by contious perfusing with Dandshen and heparin, included 24 males and 18 females with an average age of 39.2 years ranging from 13 to 61 years. There were 18 patients on stage II, 13 patients on stage III, 11 patients on stage IV according to Ficat standard. The venous duct were inserted into femoral head then perfused Danshen and heparin into femoral head for 15 days. Every patient was carried out opacification before treatment and 1 month after operation. Every patient was evaluated according to Harris standard before treatment and 3, 6, 12 months after treatment. RESULTS: All patients were followed-up for 32 to 68 months (means 42.7 months). The average scores of 18 patients on stage II on 3, 6, 12 months after treatment were (88.43 +/- 3.41), (94.37 +/- 3.47), (92.84 +/-4.29), respectively, and the scores after treatment were higher than the score (78.23 +/- 3.47) after treatment. The average scores of 13 cases on stage III on 3, 6, 12 after treatment were (82.94 +/- 3.31), (88.60 +/- 2.31), (86.09 +/- 3.17) respectivly, and the scores after treatment were higher than the score (66.11 +/- 4.50) before treatment. The average scores of 11 cases on stage IV on 3, 6, 12 months after treatment were (61.31 +/- 4.06), (59.2 +/- 7.31), (54.62 +/- 8.20) respectivly,and the scores on 3, 6 months after treatment were higher than the score (50.16 +/- 2.35) before treatment,but there was no obvious difference between before treatment and 12 months after treatment. The rank of phlebography of 18 cases on stage II and 13 cases on stage IlI were improved obvi ously 1 month after treatment,but there was no obvious difference in 11 cases of stage IV. CONCLUSION: The method of contious perfusing with Danshen and heparin into femoral head has the advantage of little damage and good effect. It refers to patients in early stage (II and II ).

Cementless total hip arthroplasty with ceramic-on-ceramic bearing in patients younger than 45 years with femoral-head osteonecrosis.

Despite improvements in the quality of alumina ceramics, osteolysis has been reported anecdotally after total hip arthroplasty (THA) with use of a contemporary alumina-on-alumina ceramic bearing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of THA using alumina-on-alumina ceramic bearing and to determine osteolysis using radiographs and computed tomographic (CT) scans in young patients. Consecutive primary cementless THA using alumina-on-alumina ceramic bearing were performed in 64 patients (93 hips) who were younger than 45 years of age with femoral-head osteonecrosis. There were 55 men (84 hips) and nine women (nine hips). Average age was 38.2 (range 24-45) years. Average follow-up was 11.1 (range 10-13) years. Preoperative Harris Hip Score was 52.9 (range 22-58) points, which improved to 96 (range 85-100) points at the final follow-up examination. Two of 93 hips (2%) had clicking or squeaking sound. No hip had revision or aseptic loosening. Radiographs and CT scans demonstrated that no acetabular or femoral osteolysis was detected in any hip at the latest follow-up. Contemporary cementless acetabular and femoral components with alumina-on-alumina ceramic bearing couples function well with no osteolysis at a ten year minimum and average of 11.1-year follow-up in this series of young patients with femoral-head osteonecrosis.

Outcome of six millimeters core decompression in avascular necrosis of the femoral head.

Core decompression is the accepted method of treatment of early femoral avascular necrosis (AVN). However, its result in advanced stage AVN is varied and it frequently ends up with artificial joint replacement. The three femoral heads with AVN Ficat stage 2B/3 were treated with the core decompression procedure. Menatetrenone, vitamins and minerals supplement was administered post operatively. The outcomes were evaluated by Harris hip score, the combined necrotic angle of the involved area of the femoral head and Ficat staging. At 24 months follow up, the Harris hip score was improved in all compared to that value at the pre operative period. No hips showed any sign of femoral head further collapse or changing of AVN stage. In conclusion, core decompression can be used in the treatment of advance stage AVN. Menatetrenone was given in order to help with bone mineralization during healing stage after core decompression. When combined both treatments together, the natural history of advanced stage AVN is modified and the natural hip joint is preserved.

Core decompression and implantation of calcium phosphate cement/Danshen drug delivery system for treating ischemic necrosis of femoral head at Stages I, II and III of antigen reactive cell opsonization.

OBJECTIVE: To introduce a new method using calcium phosphate cement/Danshen drug delivery system for treating ischemic necrosis of the femoral head and evaluate its curative effect. METHODS: From May 2000 to June 2005, 48 adult patients (54 hips) with ischemic necrosis of the femoral head at Stages I, II and III of antigen reactive cell opsonization (ARCO) were treated with implantation of calcium phosphate cement/Danshen drug delivery system in the involved femoral head. The operation consisted of removal of the necrotic bone under weight-loading cartilage and the implantation of phosphate cement/Danshen drug delivery system, and all manipulations were made percutaneously through a bone tunnel in the trochanter. The functions of the hip joint were evaluated and X-ray films were taken preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: Postoperative follow-up was 45.5 months on average, ranging from 27 to 78 months. According to the evaluation criterion of "Dandong 1995" for therapeutic effect of adult ischemic necrosis of the femoral head, the therapeutic effects were excellent in 33 hips, good in 17, fair in 3 and poor in 1, with the excellent and good rate of 92.6%. CONCLUSIONS: This method is relatively simple with little invasion. It not only improves the microcirculation of the femoral head by local application of traditional Chinese medicine, but also provides mechanic buttress in the weight-loading area to prevent collapse during repairing, which is beneficial to repair and reconstruction of femoral head. It may be a choice of minimal invasion surgery for ischemic necrosis of the femoral head at Stages I, II and III of ARCO.

Cocktail therapy for hip necrosis in SARS patients.

BACKGROUND: There are no treatment guidelines for hip necrosis in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) patients. A new regimen of cocktail therapy that consists of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) and oral alendronate was utilized in four patients with eight hips. This study evaluated the outcomes of cocktail therapy with a 4-year followup. METHODS: There were 3 women and 1 man with an average age of 26 +/- 3.8 years. Each hip was treated with 6000 impulses of ESWT at 0.62 mJ/mm2 energy flux density in a single session. Each patient received HBO treatment for 100 sessions and oral alendronate for one year. The evaluations included pain score and Harris hip score, radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the affected hips. RESULTS: At the 4-year follow-up, significant improvements in pain score and Harris hip score were observed in all cases (p < 0.001). All patients returned to work as healthcare providers. None required surgical intervention including hip replacement. MRI showed a trend of reduction in bone marrow edema and the size of the lesion, but no changes in the stage of the lesion. CONCLUSION: Cocktail therapy seems promising in delaying the disease progression of SARS-associated femoral head necrosis in the short-term.

[Clinical study on interventional therapy with Chinese and Western medicine for avascular necrosis of femoral head].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical effect of interventional therapy with Chinese and Western medicine for avascular necrosis of femoral head (ANFH). METHODS: A total of 168 ANFH patients (285 hips) were subjected to interventional therapy with Chinese and Western medicine (prostaglandin E1 injection, uroki-nase and Compound Danshen Injection) and examined by digital substruction arterography (DSA) before and after treatment. The imaging of DSA and clinical effect were observed and compared. RESULTS: After treatment, hip pain and joint dysfunction were alleviated to different degrees, and the blood vessel count shown by DSA significantly increased. The effect was obviously better in patients of Grade III than in those of other grades. CONCLUSION: Interventional therapy with Chinese and Western medicine could improve the blood circulation of the femoral head, and is an effective method for the treatment of ANFH.

Efficacy of alendronate, a bisphosphonate, in the treatment of AVN of the hip. A prospective open-label study.

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy of alendronate, in the treatment of avascular necrosis (AVN) of the hip. METHODS: Sixty patients with AVN of the hip (100 hips with AVN) were studied. The follow-up period ranged from 3 months to 5 yr. The most common cause of AVN was steroids. Parameters studied were walking time, standing time, pain and disability on a visual analogue scale (VAS), range of motion of the hip, X-ray and MRI of the hip. All patients were treated with alendronate 10 mg/day (or 70 mg/week) along with 500-1000 mg of daily calcium and vitamin D supplements, and were advised to avoid weight-bearing. NSAIDs and analgesics were permitted as needed and were recorded. RESULTS: Forty-one patients (71 AVN hips) with AVN have been followed up for a minimum of 1 yr, 24 patients (42 AVN hips) for 2 yr and 21 patients (37 AVN hips) for more than 2 yr (average 37 month). Fourteen patients have been followed up for less than 1 yr (3-9 months). Significant reduction in pain and disability scores (P < 0.001) and significant increase in standing and walking time (P < 0.001) were observed. All hip movements improved at 1 yr (P value 0.000-0.009) with an insignificant decline after that (P > 0.001). Radiologically, the hips either stabilized in the same grade or progressed by one grade. MRI showed a decrease in marrow oedema in most cases at the 1-yr follow-up. Six patients (10 hips) required surgery and there were two (three hips) dropouts. The drug was well tolerated and there was a reduction in NSAID requirement. CONCLUSION: Alendronate reduces pain, improves function and retards AVN progression. Early surgical intervention can be avoided in most patients.

The stubborn hip: idiopathic avascular necrosis of the hip.

OBJECTIVE: To highlight the unusually indolent course of avascular necrosis in this patient, the risk factors of which chiropractors should be aware, the necessity of and means to an early diagnosis, the limitations of plain film radiographs, as well as the current medical treatments. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 27-year-old male professional soccer player had a tight and achy right hip for approximately 6 years, a condition that increased with physical activity. His active range of motion was limited by 25% in extension and abduction, and all resisted ranges of motion produced pain. After an equivocal radiograph and bone scan, magnetic resonance imaging revealed a subchondral defect located on the superior aspect of the right femoral head, consistent with avascular necrosis of the femoral head. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: Presurgical management included Cybex testing, massage, myofascial release, interferential current, muscle strengthening, and muscle balancing exercises 3-5 times per week for 5 months. The patient underwent a curette procedure. Six weeks later, he returned to the chiropractic office for postsurgical rehabilitation, in which he is still involved today. He has made progress with respect to flexibility, strength, and muscle coordination. CONCLUSIONS: Idiopathic avascular necrosis of the hip is a clinical entity characterized by pain in the hip made worse with activity and at night, which may radiate to the groin, back, or thigh. Often, physical exam and radiographic findings are equivocal, at which point advanced imaging such as magnetic resonance imaging should be ordered to identify the disease in its earliest stages.