OBJECTIVETo compare clinical effects of core decompression with stem cell transplantation and tantalum rod implanting in treating stage II non-traumatic osteonecrosis of femoral head.

METHODSFrom March 2012 to September 2012, 45 patients(55 hips)with stage ARCO II non-traumatic osteonecrosis of femoral head were treated and divided into core decompression with stem cell transplantation group(group A) and tantalum rod implanting group(group B) according to number table. In group A, there were 23 cases(28 hips) , including 12 males and 11 females aged from 23 to 51 years old with an average of (36.87±9.52) years, the courses of disease ranged from 2 to 28 months with an average of (17.13±7.74) months, preoperative Harris score was for 35 to 70 with an average of(54.74±11.81), treated with core decompression with stem cell transplantation. In group B, there were 22 cases(27 hips), including 11 males and 11 females aged from 26 to 46 years old with an average of (35.59±7.39) years, the courses of disease ranged from 3 to 26 months with an average of(16.00±7.46) months, preoperative Harris score was for 35 to 76 with an average of (57.18±12.95), treated with core tantalum rod implanting. Operative time, blood loss, hospital stays, hospitalization expenses were observed and compared after treatment between two groups, the clinical effects were evaluated according to Harris criteria.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 6 to 12 months with an average of 10.8 months. There were significant difference in hospitalization expenses between two groups(<0.05), while there was no significant statistical difference in blood loss and hospital stay (>0.05). At the final following-up, Harris score in group A was(83.04±8.97), 6 cases obtained excellent results, 14 good, 2 good and 1 poor;while Harris score in group A was(84.41±9.94), and 9 cases obtained excellent results, 9 good, 3 good and 1 poor; there was no statistical meaning differences between two groups(>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCore decompression with stem cell transplantation and tantalum rod implanting could both improve function of hip joint, while core decompression with stem cell transplantation had advantages of shorter operation time, less cost, and higher potency ratio. It is suitable for stage ARCO II non-traumatic femoral head necrosis.