The cartilage from nine osteonecrotic femoral heads (six post-traumatic
and three corticoid-induced) was obtained at the time of total hip
replacement and studied by biochemical and metabolic techniques. The data
obtained were compared with those previously obtained in normal hips and
were correlated with diagnosis, topographical site, histology, and grading
according to a histological-histochemical technique previously described.
The results demonstrated surprisingly good preservation of cartilage and no
significant alteration in the biochemical and metabolic parameters. These
findings showed limited correlation with the topographical site and no
correlation with the cause of the necrosis or histological alteration. The
results do not support concepts of either accelerated metabolic activity or
chondrolytic change.