Osteonecrosis of the femoral head treated with the muscle pedicle graft.

The pedicle graft of the quadratus femoral muscle has been a satisfactory surgical alternative for the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head. The relief of pain within a few days or weeks of the operation and the absence of further destructive changes in the femoral head leading to segmental collapse have been striking in patients meeting the criteria that make them candidates for this operation. Whether the muscle pedicle operation will have a permanent beneficial effect remains to be seen.