Study on the Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head in Adults

One hundred eighty-eight patients with avascular necrosis of the femoral head in adults, who were admitted and treated in Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital between January of 1965 and May of 1985 are investigated in terms of the history, clinical data and laboratory examinations. And, the following results were obtained. 1. The incidence was higher in the 5th decade and the sex ratio between male and female was 3.3:l. 2. 106 cases (56%) had the bilateral hip involvement. 3. The most frequent etiological factor was alcohol (72 cases, 38%), followed by trauma (35 cases, 19 %), and steroid (32 cases, 17%). 4. Underlying diseases in steroid-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head were dermopathy (9 cases), nephropathy (4 cases), pain over other joints (5 cases), systemic lupus erythematosus (2 cases), etc. 5. The time intervals between etiological events and appearances of clinical symptoms were 2 years and 3 months in the steroid induced cases, 1 year and 1 month in trauma induced ones, 2 years and 1 month in femur neck fracture cases, 2 years and 2 months in Caissons disease, and 3 years in post-irradiation 6. Bone scan was valuable in the early diagnosis of avascular necrosis of the femoral head. 7. Selective femoral head angiography show narrowing of lateral femoral circumflex artery, narrowing or obstruction of medical femoral circumflex artery, and obstruction of superior retinacular artery. 8. It is suggested that minor trauma and osteoporosis could make micro-fracture, resulting avascular necrosis of the femoral head, and the vascular change is secondary to the avascular necrosis.