Biomechanical and Clinical Evaluations of a Porous Tantalum Implant for the Treatment of Early-Stage Osteonecrosis

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head is a debilitating disease, caused by disruption of the blood supply to the femoral head, that typically affects the younger population1,2. Etiologies include alcoholism, use of steroidal drugs, trauma, blood disorders, radiation therapy, and dysbaria1-3. In the United States, it is estimated that 10,000 to 30,000 cases occur annually and that 5% to 12% of total hip arthroplasties are performed to treat the disease2. Surgical intervention is likely to be more effective when performed in the early stages of osteonecrosis, prior to collapse of the femoral head and subchondral plate. In these early stages, the pathological process is usually confined to a wedge-shaped area of necrosis in the superior weight-bearing portion of the femoral head. As the disease progresses, this area is subject to collapse and the occurrence of a fracture at the junction of living and dead bone.