Biomechanical effect of intertrochanteric curved varus osteotomy on stress reduction in femoral head osteonecrosis: a finite element analysis

Background Intertrochanteric curved varus osteotomy (CVO) has been widely used to remove the necrotic bone away from the weight-bearing portion in the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). However, whether all types of necrosis will benefit from CVO, in terms of the stress level, the effect of different center-edge (CE) angles of acetabulum on stress distribution of necrosis after CVO, and the relationship between the intact ratio and the stress of necrosis, has never been addressed. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the influence of CVO on the stress reduction in necrotic bone using a finite element analysis (FEA) with different CE angles. Methods CVO finite element models of the hip joint were simulated with a lesion of 60 degrees. The osteotomy angles were divided into four configurations (15 degrees, 20 degrees, 25 degrees, and 30 degrees), and three types (A, B, and C1) of lesions were established based on the Japanese Investigation Committee (JIC) classification. In addition, two CE angles (18 degrees and 33 degrees) of acetabulum were considered. The maximum and mean von Mises stress were analyzed in terms of the necrotic bone by a physiological loading condition. Moreover, the correlation of the intact ratio measured in 3D and the stress distribution after CVO was analyzed. Results Stress reduction was obtained after CVO. For type B, the CVO angle was 20 degrees (0.61 MPa), and for type C1, the CVO angle was 30 degrees (0.77 MPa), if the mean stress level was close to type A (0.61 MPa), as a standard. The maximum and mean von Mises stress were higher in the CE angle of 18 degrees models, respectively. The intact ratio measured in 3D had a good negative correlation with stress after CVO and had more influence on stress distribution in comparison to other geometric parameters. Conclusions For making decisions about the biomechanics of CVO, a CVO angle of > 20 degrees was recommended for type B and > 30 degrees was safe for type C1. The risk of progressive collapse was increased in the insufficient situation of the weight-bearing portion after CVO. The intact ratio could provide information about clinical outcomes and stress distribution after CVO.