Core decompression versus core decompression followed by infusion of Iloprost in the treatment of idiopathic non-traumatic avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ILONA)

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Andreas Roth
• Subject Area: Orthopaedics, Traumatology, Reconstructive Surgery
• Term: from 2020 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 421911928

Idiopathic non-traumatic avascular necrosis of the femoral head (IN-ANFH) typically affects young and middle aged patients between 30 and 50 years of age. In Germany, the incidence of IN-ANFH varies between 5000 and 7000 per year. If untreated, IN-ANFH leads to subchondral fracture of the femoral head and its destruction, resulting eventually in artificial hip replacement with all its disadvantages. The current standard treatment in early stages of IN-ANFH is surgical core decompression (CD). Addition of the prostacyclin Iloprost to CD is a promising therapeutic approach. Iloprost improves the oxygen supply and regeneration of the femoral head and leads to an additional improvement of the blood supply of the femoral head. We propose a prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial to evaluate if treatment with Iloprost in addition to the established treatment standard core decompression improves clinical outcomes in IN-ANFH.

• DFG Programme: Clinical Trials
• Co-Investigators: Professor Dr. Marcus Jäger; Professor Dr. Ulrich Spiegl