Clinical results of rotational osteotomy for treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head.

We reviewed the results of seven transtrochanteric rotational osteotomies done for painful avascular necrosis of the femoral head. The results tended to deteriorate over the time. Despite the overall unsatisfactory results at final follow-up, the procedure was valuable as it delayed the necessity for total hip arthroplasty. Six patients underwent total hip arthroplasty an average of 6.7 years following the osteotomy. The procedure is technically difficult and is associated with a high risk of late complications, mainly progressive collapse, further necrosis and increased osteoarthritic changes.