Core Decompression for Avascular Necrosis (CPB 0753, reviewed 2025-10-30)
Summary
Aetna considers core decompression medically necessary for early or pre-collapse avascular necrosis of the hip, meaning stage I or II before X-ray changes are evident, and the presence of cysts is considered stage II under the Ficat classification. Core decompression is experimental, investigational or unproven for late or post-collapse hip disease (stage III or higher, when X-ray changes have occurred), for avascular necrosis of other joints such as the ankle, elbow, knee, mandibular condyle and shoulder, and for post-arthroscopic osteonecrosis. Adjunctive treatments for avascular necrosis of any joint, including bone morphogenic proteins, growth factors, mesenchymal stem cells, platelet-rich plasma, synthetic bone graft substitutes and biological augmentation with retro-drilling core decompression, are also listed as experimental, investigational or unproven.
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