New treatment approaches for osteonecrosis of the femoral head: an overview

Instr Course Lect. 2007:56:197-212.

Abstract

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head is a debilitating disease that ultimately leads to hip joint destruction. Various efforts have been made in an attempt to enhance the healing of osseous defects in the femoral head before collapse occurs. Examples of noninvasive treatment modalities include pharmacologic measures, electrical stimulation, shock wave therapy, and electromagnetic field therapy. In addition, biologic alternatives will induce new bone formation. Many of these agents or techniques are still undergoing preclinical and clinical trials, and some are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head. It is important to review new treatment opportunities that are currently available or on the horizon.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / therapeutic use
  • Cementation
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Femur Head / surgery
  • Femur Head Necrosis / drug therapy*
  • Femur Head Necrosis / surgery*
  • Genetic Therapy
  • High-Energy Shock Waves / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Hyperbaric Oxygenation
  • Iloprost / therapeutic use
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Tantalum / therapeutic use
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / genetics

Substances

  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Tantalum
  • Iloprost