The Treatment of Osteonecrosis in the Hip

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head is both a debilitating disease and a very difficult clinical condition to treat. There are a wide variety of treatment options and an incomplete understanding of the pathophysiological cause. Research and treatment algorithms are based on the concepts of decompression, supplementation, and reconstruction. As our understanding of osteonecrosis continues to advance, our treatments continue to evolve on a technical and biologic front. This paper highlights some of these treatments and areas for future development.