OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively analyze the short-term postoperative efficacy of porous tantalum rod (AVNRod) implantation in the treatment of early ischemic necrosis of the femoral head and to investigate the safety, feasibility and effectiveness of this technique in joint surgery. METHODS: From May 2008 to July 2009, early ischemic necrosis of the femoral head was treated with porous tantalum rod implantation in 24 hips in 19 patients, 13 men and 6 women, aged 32 to 54 years, with an average age of 43 years. The preoperative etiological assessment of the patients was classified as 50% hormonal application; 40% alcohol abuse; and 10% unclear etiology. The imaging assessment was ARCO staging: IIA4 hip, IIB15 hip, IIC3 hip, IIIA2 hip. 12 cases had single hip implantation, 5 cases had double hip implantation, 2 cases had one side implantation, and the other side had total hip replacement. Results: Except for one patient who fell and sustained a subtrochanteric fracture one month after surgery, the fracture healed three months after surgery. The average follow-up of the remaining 18 patients with 23 hips was 9.5 months (6-14 months), and none of them had femoral head collapse. the Harris score improved from 53-78 points (average 64.5 points) before surgery to 65-96 points (average 87.5 points) after surgery, of which 11 hips were excellent, 10 hips were good, and 2 hips were acceptable. the excellent rate of surgery was 91.3%. Conclusion: Porous tantalum metal rod implantation provides another new option for the treatment of early ischemic necrosis of the femoral head. It has been clinically adopted because of its advantages of short operation time, small trauma, low bleeding and short hospital stay. Short-term follow-up has shown that this procedure can effectively control or delay the process of osteonecrosis, and has significantly improved the mobility and pain relief of patients. However, the long-term efficacy of the procedure is still pending long-term follow-up.