Der Orthopäde
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Core decompression of the necrotic area for treatment of idiopathic osteonecrosis of the femoral head was developed and published by Ficat and Arlet in 1962 within the scope of their "Functional exploration of bone". The mode of action is attributed to a reduction of the intramedullary pressure in the bony compartment of the femoral head. The possibilities of repair and bone regeneration following core decompression are still discussed controversially. ⋯ On account of the literature and our own experience, treatment by core decompression can be recommended in cases of reversible early stages of osteonecrosis (ARCO 1), as well as in those cases of irreversible early stages (ARCO 2) that show a medial or central location of the necrosis with an extent of less than 30% of the femoral head. Once the disease reaches the irreversible early stage, complete recovery cannot be expected. In these cases only reduction of pain and retardation of the natural course of the osteonecrosis are possible to gain time until total hip replacement is unavoidable.