How long can femoral head necrosis last without replacement?

The specific condition and course of femoral head necrosis vary from person to person. It is recommended to seek medical attention as soon as possible and undergo formal examinations to clarify the stage and treatment plan.

Femoral head necrosis is a disease in which bone tissue necrosis occurs due to obstructed blood supply. There may be no obvious symptoms in the early stage, but as the disease progresses, joint pain, limited movement and even collapse will occur. It is usually divided into four stages. In the early stage, the disease can be slowed down by drugs, rehabilitation exercises and other methods, but in the later stage, surgery may be difficult to avoid.

If it is in the early stage, such as stage 1 or 2, many people can delay the progression of the disease through non-surgical treatments such as physical therapy, drugs to improve microcirculation, and avoiding weight-bearing activities. But after stage 3, bone collapse may make the pain worse and even affect normal life. By stage 4, joint replacement becomes the main option to restore joint function.

In order to postpone the replacement as much as possible, you need to control your weight, avoid excessive fatigue, and reduce the burden on the hip joint; follow the doctor's advice to do appropriate exercise, such as low-impact sports such as swimming. At the same time, you should regularly check the condition of the femoral head. If the pain worsens or the function is significantly limited, you should consult a specialist in time and consider changing the treatment strategy in time.