Current concepts on the pathogenesis of osteonecrosis of the femoral head. ³

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Schroer WC. Orthopaedic Review. 23(6):487-97, 1994 Jun. Treatment of atraumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head is presently based not on disease prevention, but instead on the end-stage changes of bone associated with the necrotic lesion. Current diagnostic modalities are limited, by both cost and efficacy, in their ability to diagnose early-stage osteonecrosis. While many studies have assumed the cause of osteonecrosis is vascular occlusion, recent work suggests that alternate * processes are primarily involved in the pathogenesis. By examining these concepts, a better understanding of osteonecrosis of the femoral head may lead to earlier diagnostic modalities and treatment protocols to prevent Á this devastating process from developing. [References: 80]