Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Trabecular metal rod AVN, a kind of porous tantalum metal prosthesis, is first designed by Michael Christie and has received good effects since it was used in Europe from November 2001. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has advantage in treating avascular necrosis of the femoral head (AVN), especially for those in the early and middle stages. Early diagnosis and treatment play a key role in receiving good therapeutic effect. 
OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical efficacy of trabecular metal rod implantation with TCM in treating early AVN.
METHODS: A total of 26 patients with AVN received treatment at the Department of Orthopaedics, Henan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, from February 2005 to June 2007, were collected, including 16 males and 10 females, aged 18-56 years (mean 40.0±2.2 years). There were 21 cases with unilateral AVN, 5 cases with bilateral AVN; according to Ficat system, 14 cases were as stage Ⅰ and 12 as stage Ⅱ. All patients suffered from hip pain and hip activity limitation, including 15 cases walking with the single crutch, 8 cases walking with the support of bilateral crutches, and 3 patients unable to walk. Average value of Harris evaluation was (61.5±1.0) preoperatively. All patients were treated by trabecular metal rod implantation combined with TCM.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: All cases were followed up for 1-2 years. All 26 patients of AVN were treated by trabecular metal rod implantation successfully during 10-18 minutes (mean 15 minutes). All wounds healed by first intention. The average value of Harris evaluation was (87.3±1.3) points postoperatively, which has significant difference compared to preoperatively (P < 0.05). The results were excellent in 21cases, good in 3 cases, fair in 2 case, with the excellent and good rate of 92%. In addition, there was no syndrome of infection, bedsore, or deep venous thrombosis in all cases. Trabecular metal rod implantation combined with TCM is a simple and effective means for treating early AVN.