Many risk factors of aseptic osteonecrosis (AO) are well-known, even if 40% of events are idiopathic. Intravascular thrombosis is one of the physiopathological mechanisms of AO. The aim of this study is to determine the influence of coagulopathies on AO set-up.

We performed a prospective case–control study, with 39 cases and 39 controls matched on age and sex. Cases are defined according to radiological criteria, and controls as non-affected by renal or hepatic insuffiency, and without inflammatory syndrome. Well-known AO risk factors were studied. Assessment of thrombosis was based on anti-phospholipid, anti ß2 Glycoprotein I, antiprothrombin, anti-cardiolipin, antithrombin, protein S and C, factor V Leiden, prothrombin gene and MTHFR mutations.

71% of cases presented a classical AO risk factor, vs. 38% of the controls. A significant association was also found between smoking and risk of AO. No significant difference in coagulopathy frequency was shown between cases and controls (56.4% vs. 48.7% respectively, p>0.05).

Only abusive consumption of alcohol and tobacco is associated with risk of AO. Our study did not demonstrate any implication of coagulopathies in AO susceptibility. Further studies are needed to investigate more precisely these features.