Understanding Avascular Necrosis

Hip pain that doesn’t go away could be a sign of Avascular Necrosis. This silent condition destroys the bone due to poor blood flow, leading to joint collapse if left untreated. The earlier you act, the better the outcome.

With advanced care tailored to stop progression, our team ensures your hip health doesn’t become a lifelong regret. Act now before it’s too late.

What Is Avascular Necrosis in Hip?

Avascular necrosis is when a bone loses its blood supply, causing the bone tissue to die and eventually collapse. If this occurs near a joint, it can also collapse the joint's surface.

This condition can happen in any bone but usually occurs at the ends of long bones. It might affect one bone, multiple bones simultaneously, or different bones at various times.

What Causes Avascular Necrosis?

What Causes Avascular Necrosis?

Avascular necrosis can happen because of:

  • Injury: If there's been some kind of damage or harm.
  • Fracture: When a bone is broken, it might lead to avascular necrosis.
  • Damage to Blood Vessels: If the blood vessels that supply the bone get hurt.
  • Medicine Use: Taking certain medications for a long time, like corticosteroids, might be a cause.
  • Alcohol Abuse: Drinking too much alcohol for an extended period can contribute.
  • Certain Health Conditions: Some ongoing health issues can also be a factor.

Are There Any Tell Tell Signs of Avascular Necrosis?

Avascular necrosis can show different symptoms in each person, but common signs may include:

  • Mild Joint Pain at the Start: In the early stages, you might feel some pain.
  • More Pain as Bone and Joint Collapse: The pain can increase as the bone and joint collapse.
  • Difficulty Moving the Joint: Pain might make it hard to move the joint freely.

These symptoms can be similar to other health issues, so it's crucial to talk to your doctor for a proper diagnosis. Early detection can make a significant difference in managing avascular necrosis.

How Avascular Necrosis is Diagnosed:

How Avascular Necrosis is Diagnosed:

To figure out if someone has avascular necrosis, the hip specialists at Divi Orthopaedic might do these tests:

  • X-ray: Takes pictures using special energy beams to see inside the body, especially the bones.
  • CT Scan: A detailed imaging test that uses X-rays and a computer to show a clear picture of bones.
  • MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Uses strong magnets and a computer to create detailed images of the bones and the soft tissue around them helping the surgeon understand the stage of the disease.

These tests, along with the expertise of orthopaedic doctors, help understand what's happening inside the body and confirm if it's avascular necrosis.

How Avascular Necrosis is Treated:

The treatment for avascular necrosis depends on:

  • Your age, health, and medical history
  • How much of the bone is affected
  • What's causing the problem

The main goal is to improve movement and prevent more damage. Here are the treatments:

  • Medicines: To manage pain.
  • Assistive Devices: Like crutches or braces to lessen pressure on the bone or joint.
  • Core Decompression: A surgery to remove part of the bone's inner layer, reducing pressure and increasing blood flow to slow down or stop damage.
  • Osteotomy: Another surgery to reshape the bone and reduce stress on the affected area.
  • Bone Graft: Transplanting healthy bone from one part of the body to the damaged area.
  • Joint Replacement: Surgery to replace a damaged joint is considered if other treatments don't work.

The goal of these treatments is to ensure the joint works better and to provide relief from joint problems and pain.

Consult our orthopaedic Specialists at Divi Orthopaedic and Rehab Center for More Info.

Talk to Our Seasoned Orthopaedic Surgeon for More Info