A method for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of an osteonecrotic bone disease in a mammal in need thereof, such as, e.g., idiopathic or secondary osteonecrosis, avascular bone necrosis, glucocorticoid induced bone ischemia/osteonecrosis, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease and femoral head necrosis, the method comprising administering an effective dose of a strontium-containing compound (a) to the mammal. A method for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of an osteonecrotic bone disease, such as, e.g., idiopathic or secondary osteonecrosis, avascular bone necrosis, glucocorticoid induced bone ischemia/osteonecrosis and femoral head necrosis, in a mammal who is to be or is treated with a therapeutic agent (b) known to or suspected of inducing apoptosis and/or necrosis of bone cells, the method comprising administering a strontium-containing compound (a) in combination with (b).