Diagnostics of femoral head status in humans using high-resolution laser spectroscopy : In vitro studies
Osteonecrosis of the femoral head is caused by inadequate blood supply to the affected bone. The bone decay process due to lacking blood supply would be likely to be accompanied by the formation of gas-filled pores. We have introduced diode laser absorption spectroscopy to successfully detect water vapor signals from pores in the femoral heads retrieved from hip replacement operations in 19 patien