What Are the Treatments for Spontaneous Osteonecrosis?

Spontaneous osteonecrosis is a condition that is most frequent within the hip and knee and occurs as a result of vascular arterial insufficiency to the medial femoral condyle. This leads to necrosis and the destruction of the bone.

Extra-Articular Drilling

• Recent work by Dr. J. Forst has proven that a surgical technique invoving extra-articular drilling into the affected femoral condyle to achieve core decompression is effective.

Joint Replacement

• In some cases, complete joint arthroplasty is the only form of treatment that can effectively treat spontaneous osteonecrosis.

Deformities

• Depending on where the condition has occurred and the size of the lesion, osteotomy to correct a carus or valgus deformity has been proven to be an effective method of treatment.

Conservative

• Initial treatment plans are usually very conservative. If the extent of the lesion is not severe, pain management techniques may be the only form of treatment utilized.

Controversy

• Many believe that surgical methods to treat spontaneous osteonecrosis are ineffective and that arthroplasty is the only viable method for treating the condition.