Innovative modified light bulb technique with custom offset curettes for treating precollapsed femoral head osteonecrosis

TL;DR

A new surgical technique for treating early-stage hip disease preserves muscles and reduces surgery time and risks.

Contribution

A modified lightbulb technique with custom offset curettes is introduced to improve treatment outcomes for femoral head osteonecrosis.

Findings

The modified technique preserves hip musculature and reduces surgical time.

Custom offset curettes allow precise removal of necrotic bone.

The method reduces risks of vascular injury and surgical dislocation.

Abstract

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head is a devastating disease that accounts for 10–15% of all hip arthroplasty cases in the USA, eventually leading to femoral head collapse and joint destruction. Even the current forms of treatment only slightly slow down the progression of the disease itself. This article describes a modified lightbulb technique, which perfects the method, the instrument, and the flap used in order to ensure hip musculature preservation and improved outcomes. With the direct anterior approach, there is no need to perform surgical dislocation, so the time of the surgery is reduced, as well as the risk of vascular injury. The necrotic bone can be precisely removed using custom-made offset curettes, and a bone graft substitute and autograft can be placed under C-arm guidance. This technique may be beneficial in treating early osteonecrosis of the femoral head by reducing operative time and reducing the risk of complications related to surgical dislocation.

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