Objective To summarize the research progress on the role of macrophage-mediated osteoimmune in osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) and its mechanisms. Methods Recent studies on the role and mechanism of macrophage-mediated osteoimmune in ONFH at home and abroad were extensively reviewed. The classification and function of macrophages were summarized, the osteoimmune regulation of macrophages on chronic inflammation in ONFH was summarized, and the pathophysiological mechanism of osteonecrosis was expounded from the perspective of osteoimmune, which provided new ideas for the treatment of ONFH. Results Macrophages are important immune cells involved in inflammatory response, which can differentiate into classically activated type (M1) and alternatively activated type (M2), and play specific functions to participate in and regulate the physiological and pathological processes of the body. Studies have shown that bone immune imbalance mediated by macrophages can cause local chronic inflammation and lead to the occurrence and development of ONFH. Therefore, regulating macrophage polarization is a potential ONFH treatment strategy. In chronic inflammatory microenvironment, inhibiting macrophage polarization to M1 can promote local inflammatory dissipation and effectively delay the progression of ONFH; regulating macrophage polarization to M2 can build a local osteoimmune microenvironment conducive to bone repair, which is helpful to necrotic tissue regeneration and repair to a certain extent. Conclusion At present, it has been confirmed that macrophage-mediated chronic inflammatory immune microenvironment is an important mechanism for the occurrence and development of ONFH. It is necessary to study the subtypes of immune cells in ONFH, the interaction between immune cells and macrophages, and the interaction between various immune cells and macrophages, which is beneficial to the development of potential therapeutic methods for ONFH.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of multiple small-diameter drilling decompression combined with hip arthroscopy for early oeteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Methods Between March 2010 and December 2013, 91 patients with early ONFH were treated with the operation of multiple small-diameter drilling decompression combined with hip arthroscopy in 39 cases (53 hips, group A) or with drilling decompression alone in 52 cases (74 hips, group B). The patients in 2 groups had obvious hip pain and limited motion before operation. There was no significant difference in gender, age, etiology, effected side, stage of osteonecrosis, and preoperative Harris score between 2 groups (P>0.05). Results All operations succeeded and all incisions healed by first intention. The operation time was significantly longer in group A [(73.3±10.6) minutes] than in group B [(41.5±7.2) minutes] (t=8.726, P=0.000). Temporary of sciatic nerve apraxia after operation occurred in 2 patients of group A, and no complication occurred in other patients. Patients were followed up 24-52 months (mean, 39.3 months) in group A and 24-48 months (mean, 34.6 months) in group B. At last follow-up, the Harris scores were 83.34±8.76 in group A and 76.61±9.22 in group B, showing significant differences when compared between 2 groups (t=–4.247, P=0.029) and when compared with preoperative values in 2 groups (t=–10.327, P=0.001; t=–8.216, P=0.008). X-ray films showed that the collapse of the femoral head was observed in 6 hips (1 hip at stage Ⅰand 5 hips at stage Ⅱ) in group A, and in 16 hips (4 hips at stageⅠand 12 hips at stage Ⅱ) in group B; and hip arthroplasty was performed. The total effective rates were 88.68% (47/53) in group A and 78.38% (58/74) in group B, respectively; showing significant difference between 2 groups (χ2=5.241, P=0.041). Conclusion Multiple small-diameter drilling decompression combined with hip arthroscopy is effective in pain relief, improvement of hip function, slowing-down the process of femoral head necrosis, delaying the need for total hip arthroplasty in patients with early ONFH.
ObjectiveTo summarize the research progress of tissue engineering technology to promote bone tissue revascularization in osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH).MethodsThe relevant domestic and foreign literature in recent years was extensively reviewed. The mechanism of femoral head vascularization and the application progress of tissue engineering technology in the promotion of ONFH bone tissue revascularization were summarized.ResultsRebuilding or improving the blood supply of the femoral head is the key to the treatment of ONFH. Tissue engineering is a hot spot in current research. It mainly focuses on the three elements of seed cells, scaffold materials, and angiogenic growth factors, combined with three-dimensional printing technology and drug delivery systems to promote the revascularization of the femoral bone tissue.ConclusionThe strategy of revascularization of the femoral head can improve the local blood supply and delay or even reverse the progression of ONFH disease.
Objective To explore the relationship between alcohol induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) and the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677 C/T. Methods From July 2005 to May 2008, eighty-nine male patients with alcohol induced ONFH were selected as the patient group, aged from 24 to58 years old (mean 44.3 years old). The time of drinking was about 17 years, 375 mL/day. The imaging evidence showed ONFH with no other history associated to ONFH. Seventy-seven male healthy adults were selected as the control group, aged from 23 to 52 years old (mean 42.7 years old). The time of drinking was about 14 years, 335 mL/day. The imaging evidence showed no ONFH. The 2 mL blood sample was acquired from every subject. DNA was purified from leucocyte at first, then was ampl icated by PCR, the product of PCR was sequenced at last. The SNP of MTHFR 677 C/T was analyzed with SPSS 12.0 software package. Results The TT genotype and T allele frequencies of MTHFR 677 C/T were 27.2% and 52.0% (P gt; 0.05) in the control group, and the distribution of genotype was consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equil ibrium. The genotype frequencies of CC, CT and TT were 23.4% (18 cases), 49.4% (38 cases) and 27.2% (21 cases) in the control group, were 14.6% (13 cases), 36.0% (32 cases) and 49.4% (44 cases) in the patient group; showing statistically significant differences (P lt; 0.05). The allele frequencies of C and T were 48.0% (74) and 52.0% (80) in the control group, and were 32.6% (58) and 67.4% (120) in the patient group; showing statistically significant differences (P lt; 0.05). The frequencies of C, T alleles and TT genotype were higher in the patient group than in the control group, showing statistically significant differences (P lt; 0.05). The odds ratios were 0.523, 1.914 and 2.607, respectively; the 95% confidence interval were 0.335-0.816, 1.226-2.987, 1.359-5.001, respectively. Conclusion The relationship may exist between the SNP of MTHFR 677 C/T and alcohol induced ONFH.
ObjectiveTo observe the effectiveness of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) assisted musculoskeletal flap transplantation in the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH).MethodsThe clinical data of 15 patients with 15 hips of ONFH admitted between January 2016 and December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were male, aged 20-45 years, with an average age of 31.6 years. There were hormone type in 9 cases and alcohol type in 6 cases. The disease duration ranged from 15 days to 3 years, with an average of 8 months. The Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) staging: 4 hips in stage Ⅱ, 11 hips in stage Ⅲ. The preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 6.2±0.2, and the Harris score of the hip joint was 57.3±1.3. Preoperative DSA examination of the femoral head was performed to determine the location of vascular lesions of the femoral head. According to the results of the angiography, the surgical selection of the musculoskeletal flap was guided. For the patients with both superior and inferior retinaculum vessels developed, simple core decompression was performed. For the patients with superior retinaculum vessels developed but inferior retinaculum vessels not developed, anterolateral tensor fasciae flap was used. For the patients whose superior retinaculum did not develop and the inferior retinaculum developed, posterolateral quadratus femoris flap was used. The fibular flap with anastomotic vessels was used in the patients whose superior and inferior retinaculum vessels were not developed.ResultsAll 15 cases of 15 hips were followed up 6-24 months, with an average of 14 months. During the follow-up, the patient’s ONFH did not worsen, the femoral head did not collapse, the joint space was normal, and the hip joint fextion and extension function was acceptable. At last follow-up, the VAS score was 1.9±0.2, and the hip Harris score was 92.1±0.8, both of which were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (t=14.85, P=0.00; t=23.22, P=0.00).ConclusionFor patients with ONFH who need musculoskeletal flap transplantation, preoperative DSA of femoral head can determine the location of vascular lesions of femoral head, so as to guide the selection of musculoskeletal flap transplantation, which is of great significance for hip-conserving surgery.
Objective To study the effect of core decompression combining with autologous cortical sustaining bone and cancellous bone graft in treating osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Methods From February 2004 to May 2008, 64 patients (77 hi ps) with ONFH were treated with core decompression combining with autologous cortical sustaining bone and cancellous bone graft, including 45 males and 19 females and aging 23 to 60 years with an average age of 43 years. There were 51 cases of unilateral ONFH and 13 cases of bilateral ONFH. ONFH was caused by alcohol in 39 cases(47 hi ps), by steroid in 21 cases (26 hi ps), and by trauma in 4 cases (4 hi ps). The disease course was 1-12 years. The pain time was 2-14 months (average 7 months). All the cases underwent imageology and postoperation pathology examination to confirm the diagnosis of ONFH. According to Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) international classification of osteonecrosis, 17 cases (23 hips) were classified as stage I A, 2 cases (3 hips) as stage I B, 21 cases (24 hips) as stage II A, 2 cases (2 hips) as stage II B, 4 cases (4 hips) as stage II C, and 18 cases (21 hips) as stage III A. The outcome was evaluated both cl inically by Harris score and radiologically by imageology. Results A total of 59 cases (69 hips) were followed up for 12-62 months with an average of 32.1 months. The Harris score was 87.12 ± 8.68 at 12 months after operation, showing significant difference (P lt; 0.05) when compared with the preoperative one (68.38 ± 14.49). The results were excellent in 39 hips, good in 18 hips, fair in 6 hips, and poor in 6 hip; and the excellent and good rate was 82.6%. Radiographic evaluation was 21 hips (30.4%) of grade I, 42 hips (60.9%) of grade II, and 6 hips (8.7%) of grade III. One case had the compl ication of il ium bone donor site, 21 cases had l ittle pain or numbness, and the other cases had no uncomfortable compl ication. Conclusion The method of core decompression combining with autologous cortical sustaining bone and cancellous bone graft can improve the means of bone grafts, prevent the collapse of the femoral head, and is less traumatic than common procedures. Cl inical effects are obvious and effective.
Objective To compare the efficiency of secondary total hip arthroplasty (THA) for osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) after failed internal fixation of femoral neck fracture and the primary THA for non-traumatic ONFH and to evaluate if the two groups have significant difference. Methods From June 2004 to July 2007, 203 cases of ONFH were treated by THA. In group A, 83 patients (83 hips) with ONFH after failed internal fixation included 56 males (56 hips) and 27 females (27 hips) with an average age of 58.3 years (range 45-75 years). According to Ficat classification, there were 61 cases atstage III and 22 cases at stage IV. The Harris score was 37.6 ± 2.0. The disease course was 1-6 years with an average of 2.6 years. In group B, 120 patients (167 hips) with non-traumatic ONFH included 67 males (94 hips) and 53 females (73 hips) with an average age of 52.6 years (range 41-67 years). According to Ficat classification, there were 56 cases (83 hips) at stage III and 64 cases (84 hips) at stage IV. The Harris score was 38.2±1.0. The disease course was 1.5-5.0 years with an average of 2.6 years. There were no significant differences in general data between two groups (P gt; 0.05). Results All 203 cases were followed up for 2 to 5 years (average 3.4 years). There were no significant differences in the operation time of single-hip, the blood loss, the blood transfusion between two groups (P gt; 0.05). Intraoperative fractures occurred in 4 hips (4.8%) of group A and 2 hips (1.2%) of group B, showing significant difference (P lt; 0.05). There were no significant differences (P gt; 0.05) in the incidence of dislocation [3 hips (3.6%) in group A and 1 hip (0.6%) in group B], continuous femoral pain [2 hips (2.4%) in group A and 1 hip (0.6%) in group B] and infection [1 hip (0.6%) in group B] between two groups. There were no significant differences (P gt; 0.05) in acetabular abduction, anteversion, femoral anteversion, and combined anteversion angles as well as the recovery rate of acetabular rotational center between two groups. The Harris scores of groups A and B after 2 years were 79.4 ± 2.1 and 84.2 ± 3.5.There was no significant difference between two groups (P gt; 0.05). The Harris score postoperation had significant differences compared with preoperation (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Compared to the primary THA to non-traumatic ONFH, secondary THA to ONFH after failed internal fixation has no significant increase in operative difficulty, the postoperative hip function isgood, but the incidence of intraoperative fracture is higher.
Objective To analyze the similarities and differences of bone microstructure and apoptosis phenotype of lateral column, middle column, and medial column in type L2 and L3 osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) specimens classified by China-Japan Friendship Hospital (CJFH) classification, so as to carry out a quantitative study of ONFH “three-columns structure theory” and to provide research support for the treatment of ONFH by rotational osteotomy through the base of femoral neck. MethodsDiscarded femoral head specimens from 16 patients (16 hips) with CJFH type L2 and L3 ONFH undergone total hip arthroplasty between April 2020 and February 2021 were selected as the research objects. First, the “three-column structure” of the femoral head was three-dimensionally segmented by Micro-CT, and the bone volume to total volume (BV/TV), bone surface area to bone volume ratio (BS/BV), trabecular spacing/separation (Tb.Sp), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), and trabecular number (Tb.N) in the lateral column, middle column, and medial column were analyzed to compare the similarities and differences of parameters related to bone mass and trabecular structure among the three columns. Then, the specimens were cut with a oscillating saw and made into paraffin sections for HE staining and immunohistochemical staining of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax). The differences of apoptosis phenotype between the three columns of ONFH samples of CJFH type L2 and L3 were evaluated by comparing the rate of empty lacunae and the rate of positive cells of immunohistochemical staining. ResultsThere were significant differences in BV/TV, Tb.Th, and Tb.N among the three columns of CJFH type L2 ONFH femoral head (P<0.05), with the largest in the medial column and the smallest in the lateral column; BS/BV and Tb.Sp of the lateral column were significantly greater than those of the medial column and middle column (P<0.05), no significant difference was found between the middle column and medial column (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the bone parameters between the three columns of the CJFH type L3 ONFH femoral head (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the rate of empty lacunae between the three columns of the CJFH type L2 and L3 ONFH femoral head (P>0.05). Immunohistochemical staining showed that a large number of tissue sections were detached, and only a small amount of non-specific staining was found in the sections without detachment, so the positive cell rate could not be calculated. Conclusion The middle and medial columns of the CJFH type L2 ONFH has better trabecular structures than the lateral column, and there is no significant difference in trabecular structures among the three columns of the CJFH type L3 ONFH.
Objective To establ ish an animal model of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) l ike human. Methods Ten healthy adult three-leg Beagle male dogs weighing (16.0 ± 1.6) kg were conducted as the animal model of ONFH according to the schedule of cryosurgery designed in advance in which l iquid nitrogen, pressurized to 0.5 MPa, was poured into the femoral head for 16.5 minutes. After rewarmed to 0℃ for 10 minutes, the l iquid nitrogen was repoured into the femoral head for another 16.5 minutes. At the end of the follow-up, the results were reviewed by pathologic check. One dog was conducted as control group. Results The first boundary temperature of (—27.9 ± 4.3)℃ was higher than the second boundary temperature (— 31.3 ± 4.7)℃ by —3.4℃ , and there was significant difference (P lt; 0.01). The diameter of the femoral head of (17.7 ± 1.1) mm was l inearly (^ y= — 2.6 - 2.409 x) correlated to boundary temperature by Pearson analysis, and the R rate was —0.977 (Plt; 0.05). Four dogs in experimental group progressed to collapse of the femoral head l ike human in the 6th month after operation. The rate of the femoral head collapse rose to 44.4%. In the control group, osteonecrosis was never found. Conclusion Cryosurgcry for osteonecrosis of the femoral head in the three-leg canine model may become a method to establ ish an animal model of ONFH l ike human.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of hip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA) for treating osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) in young and middle-aged patients. MethodsBetween January 2008 and April 2009, 34 patients with ONFH underwent HRA. There were 19 males and 15 females with an average age of 54 years (range, 33-59 years). Of 34 cases, 16 left hips and 18 right hips were involved, including 9 cases of alcoholinduced ONFH, 8 cases of steroid-induced ONFH, 7 cases of traumatic ONFH, and 10 cases of unexplained ONFH. According to modified Ficat classification system, 26 hips were rated as stage III, and 8 hips as stage IV. The Harris hip score (HHS) and modified University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) activity score were used to evaluate the clinical results. Migration of prosthesis was assessed on the anteroposterior radiographs. The abduction angle was measured on the acetabular side. On the femoral side, varus-valgus shift was determined by measurement of stem-shaft angle. The axial collapse of femoral component was assessed with the component-lateral cortex ratio. ResultsHealing of incision by first intention was achieved in all patients without complications of infection and thrombosis of deep vein of lower extremities. Thirty-two patients were followed up 78 months on average (range, 70-84 months). No implant loosening, infection, femoral neck fracture, dislocation, and inflammatory pseudotumor were observed. At last follow-up, the HHS score was significantly increased to 95.22±1.47 from preoperative 50.10±2.27 (t=1.510, P=0.008). Modified UCLA activity score was significantly increased to 7.70±1.13 from preoperative 3.90±0.90 (t=0.830, P=0.003). The abduction angle, stemshaft angle, and compotent-lateral cortex ratio showed no significant difference between at 3 days after operation and last follow-up (P>0.05). ConclusionIf the indication of operation is mastered strictly, HRA may be effective in treatment for ONFH at Ficat stage III or IV in young and middle-aged patients.