BACKGROUND: Fibular fixation and tantalum rod implantation are two commonly used methods for the treatment of early osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH), both of which can effectively delay or even reverse the progress of ONFH. However, further comparative evaluation on their mechanical properties and therapeutic efficacy is required.OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy of fibular fixation and tantalum rod implantation on ONFH at early stage.METHODS: Fifty-eight patients (81 hips) suffered from ONFH with ARCO stage 1 and stage 2, and underwent fibular fixation (30 cases, 41 hips) or tantalum rod implantation (28 cases, 40 hips). Postoperatively, both groups were followed up for over 2 years. The Harris scores of the hip were compared between two groups before and after treatment. With femoral head collapse and the collapse distance > 4 mm as observation points, the survival rate of the femoral head was compared between two groups.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The postoperative Harris scores of the two groups were significantly improved than before (P < 0.05). With the appearance of femoral head collapse as the observation point, the Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that the overall survival rate of the hip was 83% in the fibular fixation group and 65% in the tantalum rod implantation group. After examined by log-rank (Mantel-Cox), there was a significant difference in the survival rate of the hip at Stage IIC between two groups (P=0.0431). With > 4 mm collapse as the observation point, the Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that overall survival rate of the hip was 95% in the fibular fixation group and 83% in the tantalum rod implantation group. After examined by log-rank (Mantel-Cox), there was a significant difference in the survival rate of the hip at Stage IIC between two groups (P=0.0418). To conclude, both fibular fixation and tantalum rods implantation applied to ONFH at early stage can effectively improve the hip function, and the survival rate of the hip at ARCO Stage IIC is better in patients undergoing fibular fixation than tantalum rod implantation.