Idiopathic avascular necrosis of the femoral head in adolescents: Diagnostics and management

Idiopathic avascular necrosis of the femoral head still represents incompletely explained clinical entity. In the period 1978-2003. we have treated sixteen hips in ten patients with this condition in the IOHB "Banjica". Diagnosis have been founded on clinical and radiographic features, in addition to MRI findings. One patient have been operated, curretaging necrotic part of the femoral head and placing homografts instead. The other fifteen patients have been treated by the same procedure: skin traction for several months following immediate rehabilitation of the hip. The goal of treatement was reducing the pain, increasing the range of movements and preservation of the normal joint space. Evaluation of the treatement was based on unique criteria founded on Howorth-Ferguson index, clinical and radiographic features.The follow-up period was 2-7 years. The authors have stressed the following advantages of the non-operative treatement in adolescents with idiopathic avascular necrosis if the femoral head: increased range of joint movements, decreased pain and low risk rate of any complications following surgical procedures. Formed changes in the femoral head are irreversible, and they are real basic for premature arthrosis of the hip.