Core decompression in avascular necrosis of the hip in sickle-cell disease.

Sickle-cell disease (SCD) is the most common cause of avascular necrosis (AVN) of the hip in childhood. It results in significant physical impairment and chronic pain, and often progresses to require hip replacement. Conservative therapy is ineffective. We evaluated whether core decompression can arrest progression of AVN. We performed 13 coring procedures in 10 patients with SCD and AVN. Patients ranged from age 9-21 years at diagnosis (mean, median age, 15 years); five hips were stage I, six hips were stage II, and two hips were stage III. Mean follow-up on these patients was 3.7 years. Efficacy of the procedure was evaluated by clinical improvement in pain, radiographic progression, and need for further surgery. All 5 stage I patients had substantial improvement in pain, and only one showed X-ray progression. Five of the 6 (83%) stage II patients had improvement in pain, and 2 patients progressed on X-ray. Both stage III patients progressed on X-ray, but one was clinically improved. None of the 10 patients has required further surgery. Our results demonstrate that in early AVN, core decompression was beneficial for almost all patients, even with progression on X-ray. Core decompression should be considered in the management of SCD patients with early AVN.