Osteonecrosis

What is it?

Osteonecrosis is also called Aseptic necrosis, Avascular necrosis, and Ischemic necrosis.

Osteonecrosis occurs when your bones lose their blood supply. The bones die and eventually collapse, leading to pain and arthritis. You can have osteonecrosis in one or several bones. It is most common in the upper leg. Other common areas that are prone to Osteonecrosis are upper arm and knees, shoulders and ankles.

Symptoms

• Early in the disease you might not have any symptoms. Later, you will probably have joint pain that becomes more severe as the disease gets worse.
• For some it is too painful to walk or move.

Causes

• Long-term steroid treatment, such as Prednisone
• Alcohol abuse
• Joint injuries
• Certain diseases, such as Arthritis and cancer

Who gets it?

The disease can affect men and women of any age, but it usually strikes in your thirties, forties or fifties.

How is it diagnosed?

A bone density scan should be able to detect this disease.

Treatment

• Treatments include medicines, using crutches, limiting activities that put weight on the affected joints, electrical stimulation and surgery.

What is the long-term prognosis?

Once bone is dead, it cannot be brought back to life. When bone is totally dead, surgery is required. With successfull surgery and deligent physical therapy, one can have a normal life with fairly normal level of activity and range of motion.

References

• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Related WikiHealth articles

• Osteoporosis