David Dore, M.D., from the Celebration Joint Replacement Center in Celebration, Florida, says osteonecrosis of the hip can be a devastating condition. One common surgical procedure to relieve the excruciating pain associated with this disease is called a core decompression. This is a simple surgical procedure that involves taking a plug of bone out of the affected area by drilling a hole into the hip. This relieves the stress on the bone that, in turn, relieves the pain. Now doctors are testing a metal implant that will help aid in the procedure by relieving more of the stress on the bone more quickly.
Doctors insert a porous metal implant into the hole they've drilled with the core decompression.
It's just like if you had a house and you put a beam up to support the roof. He says it also allows for more new bone growth. The most significant benefit of the implant is that it will extend the life of the procedure. A core decompression surgery may only benefit patients for 10 years. By adding this new implant, doctors hope to extend the life span of the procedure to 45 years.