Treatment of early stage osteonecrosis of the femoral head with autologous implantation of bone marrow-derived and cultured mesenchymal stem cells

► Randomized controlled trial of treating early stage femoral head necrosis was done. ► Cultured autologous mesenchymal stem cells were implanted into the femoral head. ► Osteonecrotic stage, Harris hip score, and bone repairing were assessed. ► Improved Harris hip score and bone repairing were found 60 mo. after the surgery. ► Stem cell therapy is effective in healing early stage femoral head osteonecrosis.