title: Summary of the various treatments for osteonecrosis of the femoral head by mechanism: A review.
abstract: Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH), also known as femoral head avascular necrosis, is a pathological state with a number of possible etiologies including steroid administration, alcohol abuse, traumatic events, vascular injury and idiopathic origins. ONFH causes a reduction in the vascular supply to the subchondral bone of the femoral head, which results in osteocyte death and the collapse of the articular surface. Treatments for ONFH include non-weight-bearing therapy, physical support, the promotion of osteoclast apoptosis, and the reduction of osteoblast and osteocyte apoptosis. The aim of the present review was to summarize the treatments for ONFH by mechanism from a new perspective and to describe the condition with an emphasis on treatment options.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Orthopedics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Orthopedics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Jiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.affiliation: Institute of Orthopedics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Shibi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lu
keywords: bisphosphonates; osteoblast; osteoclast; osteonecrosis