Objective To investigate the effectiveness of cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) in treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH) in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Methods The clinical data of 22 patients (35 hips) with HIV infection and ANFH (positive group), who were treated with cementless THA between February 2014 and January 2017, was retrospectively analyzed. Tirty-three cases (43 hips) without HIV infection, who were treated with cementless THA during the same period, were collected as control (negative group). There were significant differences in the age, gender, incidence of bilateral ANFH, and disease duration between 2 groups (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the Ficat stage of ANFH between 2 groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, rate of blood transfusion, postoperative complications, and hospitalization time were recorded. The hip joint function was evaluated by Harris score and X-ray film was performed to observe the position of the prosthesis. Results The follow-up time was 13-24 months (mean, 20.2 months) in positive group and 14-25 months (mean, 21.6 months) in negative group. The operation time of negative group was significantly shorter than that of positive group (t=3.677, P=0.001). However, there was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss, rate of blood transfusion, and hospitalization time between 2 groups (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in Harris score between 2 groups before operation and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after operation (P>0.05). There were 2 cases of superficial infection of incision and 1 case of pulmonary infection during hospitalization in positive group, and 1 case of superficial infection of incision and 1 case of venous thrombosis of lower extremity in negative group. No death or loosening and sinking of the prosthesis occurred in both groups during follow-up. Conclusion Cementless THA is a safe and effective method for ANFH in patients with HIV infection.