A Functional and Radiological Outcome Analysis of Hip Forage Procedure, done for Early Stages(Ficat and Arlet Grade 1 and 2A) of Avascular Necrosis of Head of Femur

Background: Avascular necrosis of the femoral head is a severe disease and causes osteoarthritis of the hip joint in young adults. Early diagnosis leads to better prognosis and therapeutic success.

Aim: To study pain, radiological outcome & functional outcome post hip forage procedure in patients of avascular necrosis of head of femur (Ficat and Arlet grade 1 and grade 2A).

Study Design: This was a prospective observational study.

Place and Duration of Study: Conducted in the Department of Orthopaedics, Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Nerul, Navi Mumbai over a period of 2 years from 2015 to 2017

Methodology: We included 50 patients (39 males, 11 females) with Avascular necrosis of unilateral or bilateral head of femur (Grade 1 and Grade 2A), clinical, radiological and functional(with the help of Harris hip score) examination was done at 6 months and 12 months follow up post operatively.

Results: Out of the 50 patients, pre-peratively, 60% reported moderate pain, 20% mild pain and 20% severe pain. At follow-up, 36% patients reported slight pain, 26% mild pain, 26% moderate pain, 8% marked pain, and no pain was reported by 4% patients. Pre-operatively, no limp was seen in 34% patients, while 66% patient had a limp. At follow-up, 70% patient had a limp and no limp in 30% patients. Before surgery, support (cane use) was required by 6% patients, while at follow-up, support was noted by 12% patients. Preoperative mean Harris Hip Score was 63.6, while that at follow-up it was 74.74. Radiological worsening of the disease occurred only in 38% of the patients which suggests that disease progression was delayed in most patients(62%). 2% patients had a complication of foot drop.

Conclusion: Avascular necrosis of femoral head is more common in young males. Core decompression by multiple drilling and/or core decompression with fibular strut grafting are equally effective in pre collapse stages (stage 1 and stage 2A) with better functional and radiological outcomes and hence these procedures can play a vital role in delaying the disease progression.