Background Femoral head collapse is the key to the progress of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH), but the causes of collapse are not completely clear. The better understanding of the progress of femoral head collapse will guide the treatment strategy for ONFH patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical influence of necrosis area on the collapse of the femoral head by finite element analysis. Methods CT and MRI data from the hip joint of a healthy volunteer were collected to establish a finite element (FE) model of a normal hip. Subsequently, five categories of osteonecrosis FE models were established by using the normal model and computer software according to China-Japan Friendship Hospital (CJFH) classification for ONFH. The CJFH system includes five types based on the size and location of necrosis lesions in the femoral head (type M, C, L1, L2, and L3) and the stage of ONFH. The collapse indices of each model were analyzed by FE method, including the displacement, peak von Mises stress and stress index of the simulated necrotic area as well as the lateral pillar contact area of the femoral head to acetabular. Results (1) The displacement increments in the simulated necrotic areas of type M, C, L1, L2, and L3 models were 3.75 mu m, 8.24 mu m, 8.47 mu m, 18.42 mu m, and 20.44 mu m respectively; the peak von Mises stress decrements were 1.50 MPa, 3.74 MPa, 3.73 MPa, 4.91 MPa, and 4.92 MPa respectively; and the stress indices were 0.04, 0.08, 0.08, 0.27, and 0.27 respectively. (2) The displacement increments in the lateral pillar contact areas of five type models were significantly different (P < 0.001) and increased in sequence as follows: 1.93 +/- 0.15 mu m, 5.74 +/- 0.92 mu m, 5.84 +/- 1.42 mu m, 14.50 +/- 3.00 mu m, and 16.43 +/- 3.05 mu m. The peak von Mises stress decrements were also significantly different (P < 0.001) and increased in sequence as follows: 0.52 +/- 0.30 MPa, 0.55 +/- 0.12 MPa, 0.67 +/- 0.33 MPa, 4.17 +/- 0.59 MPa, and 4.19 +/- 0.60 MPa. (3) The collapse indices including the displacement increments and peak von Mises stress decrements of type L2 and L3 models were markedly higher than those of type M, C, and L1 models (P < 0.001). Conclusions The collapse indices of the femoral heads of type L2 and L3 FE models were significantly higher than those of type M, C, and L1. Different areas of necrosis result in varied impact on the femoral head collapse.