Abstract： Objective To find out the optimal operative methods for the patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head according to age and the staging. Methods The current study assessed 202 patients(242 hips)from 1998 to 2008 with an average follow-up of 6.3years (range,1 -10 years), who were operated according to age and staging by Ficat or Catterall. The mean age of the patients was 35.3 years(range,4 -81 years). All patients were evaluated with both clinical and radiographical criterion. Results The postoperative excellent and good rate were 87.2% ,88.8% and 85.7% in each group respectively. The mean Hariss score increased (P <0.05) and the mean VAS score decreased (P < 0.05) in youth group and old group. Conclusions Children who were younger than six years of age and with Catter-all Ⅱ-Ⅲ involvement should be treated by ascularized iliac or greater trochanter bone periosteal flaps. Patients who were less than forty years of age, with Ficat Ⅱ-Ⅲ should be treated by ascularized iliac or greater trochanter bone flaps. For patients with age older than 50 years or younger than 50 years but with severe forms, hybrid or cememtless total hip arthroplasty may be the optimal operation.