ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the application value of extracorporeal shock wave to repair and reconstruct osseous tissue for the treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 42 hips of 36 patients with ANFH were treated with extracorporeal shock waves included 29 males and 7 females,aged from 21 to 66 during March 2006 to March 2008. The course of disease was 6 months to 3 years (means 1.3 years). According to Ficat classification 8 hips were in stages I, 25 were in stage II, and 9 were in stage III. The energy density of ESWT was from 0.18 to 0.25 mJ/mm2. The treatment focusing points of avascular necrosis of the femoral on the surface projection were marked with X-ray fluoroscopy, and 1 to 2 points were selected for one treatment with 400 to 500 pulses in each point. Generally 3 to 5 treatments were performed, once per 7 days. The CR, CT or MRI and the hip Harris score were obtained to investigate the clinical effects of extracorporeal shock wave for repair and reconstruct osseous tissue framework and improve the hip function before treatment and at 3, 12 months after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The X-ray,CT or MR were performed of 42 hips,35 hips were treated successfully after extracorporeal shock wave therapy, cure occurred in 6 cases, marked effect in 13 cases, effectiveness in 16 cases and ineffectiveness in 7 case. After one years of followed-up, no relapse was found, the femoral head further collapse did not occur. The Harris hip score of stage I, II, III ere respectivey (90.1 +/- .4), (81.2 +/- .5), (66.9 +/- .6) at 3 months and (91.6 +/- .4), (91.1 +/- .5), (79.0 +/- .1) at 12 months after treatment. The scores after treatment were increased significantly than that of before treatment (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Extracorporeal shock wave therapy has obviously therapeutic effect in the repairing and reconstructing osseous tissue and improve the hip Harris score and improve the hip function. It is a effect significantly, non-invasion, less complications, simple-accurate therapy method for ischemic necrosis of the femoral head.</p>