Treatment of Femoral Head Necrosis

Femoral head necrosis is a disease caused by venous stasis of the femoral head and impaired or interrupted arterial blood supply, leading to partial death of bone cells and bone marrow components. This results in bone tissue necrosis, subsequent repair, and ultimately structural changes and collapse of the femoral head, causing hip pain and functional impairment. It is most common among people aged 30 to 50. Treatment options include conservative drug therapy, surgical intervention, and cellular therapy. If treatment is delayed, irreversible collapse of the femoral head may occur, leading to loss of joint function and severely affecting daily life.

Emerging Treatment Methods

Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cell therapy represents a major advancement in recent years for the treatment of femoral head necrosis. By transplanting autologous or allogeneic stem cells, it promotes bone tissue regeneration and vascular reconstruction, fundamentally improving blood supply to the femoral head, delaying, or even reversing the disease process, especially suitable for early and middle-stage patients.

① Stimulates new blood vessel formation, restoring bone blood supply

② Promotes regeneration of bone cells in necrotic areas

③ Delays or prevents progression of femoral head collapse

④ Combined with minimally invasive surgery, significantly shortens recovery time

⑤ Improves hip preservation success rate, delaying total hip replacement

Conventional Treatment Methods

1. Conservative Drug Therapy

Suitable for early-stage patients or those unfit for surgery. Common medications include bone-protective agents, traditional Chinese medicine for promoting blood circulation, and lipid-lowering drugs. These aim to improve microcirculation, relieve symptoms, and slow necrosis progression. However, single-drug therapy is usually insufficient, requiring combined approaches.

2. Weight Reduction and Load Limitation

Patients should reduce body weight and avoid weight-bearing walking to lessen mechanical stress on the femoral head, helping prevent disease worsening. Crutches are often used to aid walking, and some patients undergo functional training under medical supervision to enhance joint stability.

3. Physical Rehabilitation Therapy

Low-frequency electrotherapy, hot compresses, ultrasound, and shockwave therapy can promote blood circulation, relieve pain, and improve hip joint range of motion. These are important supportive treatments during non-surgical periods.

4. Core Decompression Surgery

Drilling reduces intraosseous pressure in the femoral head, allowing new blood vessels to grow into necrotic areas. This procedure can be combined with stem cell transplantation to enhance effectiveness and is suitable for early to middle-stage patients.

5. Autologous Bone Grafting

Autologous bone blocks are transplanted into necrotic regions to support femoral head structure and promote bone healing. This is suitable for some patients with structural damage but without collapse, usually as part of mid-stage treatment plans.

6. Total Hip Arthroplasty

When the femoral head severely collapses and joint function is completely lost, total hip replacement surgery may be performed. This method can significantly relieve pain and restore walking ability, but it carries risks such as limited prosthesis lifespan and postoperative complications, making it a choice mostly for end-stage cases.

7. Traditional Chinese Medicine

Some patients opt for TCM approaches, using methods such as promoting blood circulation, strengthening tendons, and reinforcing bones to relieve symptoms. Although lacking strong evidence-based support, these therapies can have certain value as adjuncts in specific individuals.

8. Combined Rehabilitation Plan

Individualized rehabilitation is essential during treatment. This includes dietary adjustments, psychological counseling, and gait training, which significantly improve treatment adherence, enhance recovery outcomes, and reduce recurrence risk.

Conclusion

Experts from United Life International Medical Center point out that treatment of femoral head necrosis should begin as early as possible. Stem cell therapy is currently a promising biological repair method. When combined with other approaches in a personalized comprehensive treatment plan, it can greatly improve quality of life and help avoid progressing to total hip replacement.