Metal trabecular bone reconstruction system better improves clinical efficacy and biomechanical repair of osteonecrosis of the femoral head than free vascularized fibular graft: A case–control study

: In this study, we aim to compare and analyze the biomechanical repair and clinical efficacy of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) with the use of metal trabecular bone reconstruction system and free vascularized fibular graft. The study enrolled 66 adult patients from medical records of nontraumatic ARCO 2A-3B stage ONFH. A simple ONFH model without surgical treatment was established in 13 cases, 29 cases were treated with metal trabecular bone reconstruction system, and 24 cases were treated with free vascularized fibular graft. Computer-recognized and extracted femur outlines were imported, and three-dimensional reconstructions were performed. The stress concentration and stress peak value were analyzed, and the Harris score, visual analog scale pain score, and operation status of the above patients were compared. Finally, quality of life assessment was performed using SF-36 scale. Metal trabecular bone reconstruction system provided less operation time, blood loss, and the total length of postoperative hospital stay than free vascularized fibular graft. Metal trabecular bone reconstruction system promoted bone reconstruction, increased bone mineral density and Harris score. The total clinical effective rate of young patients (20-40 years) was higher than that of older patients (41-60 years). Metal trabecular bone reconstruction system provided higher physical component summary, mental component summary, and role/social component summary than free vascularized fibular graft. This study demonstrates that both metal trabecular bone reconstruction system and free vascularized fibular graft can prevent or delay the progression of ONFH, while metal trabecular bone reconstruction system is a better choice because of better short-term clinical efficacy.