Effect of the stiffness of bone substitutes on the biomechanical behaviour of femur for core decompression

Highlights • Core decompression is the most common procedure for treatment of early stages of avascular osteonecrosis of the femoral head (AVN). • The purpose of this study is to compare the biomechanical performance of four different bone graft substitutes combined with core decompression. • Two different contact conditions were simulated representing osseointegration states at the interface. • The study was motivated by frequent questions relating to the treatment of AVN. • Our results showed that the use of a low stiffness bone substitute did not increase the femoral fracture risk in the early postoperative state, but resulted in less micromotion and interfacial stresses than a high stiffness one. • We would be happy if you could consider our paper for publication.