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World J Orthop. Jun 18, 2026; 17(6): 116787
Published online Jun 18, 2026. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v17.i6.116787
Published online Jun 18, 2026. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v17.i6.116787
From radiological stability to functional preservation: Reconsidering the value of conservative treatment for osteonecrosis of the femoral head
Xiao-Peng Fu, Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi City 830000, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China.
Author contributions: Fu XP was accountable for all aspects of the work, was responsible for the design of the study, writing the manuscript, revising the manuscript, and approving the final version.
AI contribution statement: AI-assisted tools were used during revision only for language polishing, translation assistance, improvement of clarity and readability, and organization of expression. No part of the manuscript was generated entirely by AI. The scientific content, main arguments, literature selection, interpretation of cited evidence, and final conclusions were conceived, reviewed, verified, and finalized by the author.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The author declares no conflict of interest in publishing the manuscript.
Corresponding author: Xiao-Peng Fu, MD, PhD, Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xinjiang Medical University, No. 268 Hetian Street, Shayibake District, Urumqi City 830000, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China. 1220105011@fjtcm.edu.cn
Received: November 20, 2025
Revised: January 3, 2026
Accepted: January 14, 2026
Published online: June 18, 2026
Processing time: 209 Days and 7.8 Hours
Revised: January 3, 2026
Accepted: January 14, 2026
Published online: June 18, 2026
Processing time: 209 Days and 7.8 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Conservative treatment for osteonecrosis of the femoral head has long been limited by inconsistent outcomes and unclear indications. Emerging long-term evidence demonstrates that radiological stability – particularly in patients with limited lesion extent and minimal collapse – can translate into durable functional preservation. This editorial synthesizes multisource data to re-evaluate the role of conservative management, emphasizing stage-specific assessment, precise patient selection, and predictors of treatment durability. A deeper integration of imaging progression patterns with functional trajectories may refine future therapeutic algorithms and support a more individualized approach to hip preservation.