On the other hand, Lim et al. reported negative clinical and radiological results of stem cell implantation and core decompression. In total, 128 patients (190 hips) who had undergone surgery were divided into the following two treatment groups:

• multiple drilling and stem cell implantation
• core decompression, curettage and a bone graft

Success rates were higher in patients with Ficat stage I or II lesions than those with stage III lesions in both groups. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of success rate or in the clinical and radiographic results of the two methods. Other groups reported various results from uncontrolled studies.