| Osteonecrosis sounds intimidating even before you | | | | pain. Patients commonly note an aching feeling and |
| know the meaning of the word. A form of arthritis in | | | | generalized pain in the area of the affected joint. It |
| which the bone loses its access to the body's blood | | | | may start out as a mild pain, primarily related to |
| supply, osteonecrosis literally means "death of the | | | | physical activity that places pressure on the bones, |
| bone." Without blood, the bone breaks downs and | | | | such as walking or lifting. It's often difficult for |
| gradually disintegrates. This breakdown process is | | | | sufferers to pinpoint the precise location of the pain. |
| known as a vascular necrosis. | | | | In other words, they have trouble describing exactly |
| The process can be quite debilitating. It begins when | | | | where the pain originates. For example, individuals |
| the afflicted bones become soft and porous. | | | | often report feeling pain in their groin area when the |
| Eventually, as they receive a dwindling supply of | | | | true inflammation is located in the hips. |
| blood, they become brittle and easy to break. The | | | | Limited motion, joint stiffness, and muscle spasms |
| condition most often affects the joints of the hips, | | | | are also signs of osteonecrosis, though these are less |
| knees, and ankles, though roughly 90 per cent of | | | | apparent in the early stages of the disease. As the |
| osteonecrosis sufferers experience the disease in | | | | osteonecrosis progresses they become more |
| their hips. | | | | noticeable. However, they can come and go, making |
| The average age of onset for osteonecrosis is 38 | | | | them more difficult to pin down for both the sufferer |
| years, much lower than most forms of arthritis. But it | | | | and the physician. |
| can also afflict the young. In fact, Legg-Calve-Perth's | | | | Treatment varies according to each patient's |
| disease, a form of osteonecrosis, can develop in both | | | | circumstances. To fight the inflammation, some |
| young children and teenagers. It tends to affect the | | | | doctors prescribe corticosteroids. However, most |
| hip or femur more than other joints, and if it's not | | | | steroid-based drug medications cannot be taken for |
| treated aggressively in its early stages, the femur | | | | an extended period of time since they may cause |
| head will usually attempt to heal on its own, often | | | | dangerous side effects. Your doctor will be able to |
| healing in a collapsed position that causes pain and | | | | decide if this is an appropriate treatment option for |
| stiffness. | | | | your specific case. |
| What's the cause of osteonecrosis, and is there | | | | Drug therapy is generally used in conjunction with |
| anything you can do to prevent it? | | | | other treatment options. These options may include |
| Most instances of osteonecrosis occur after the joint | | | | dietary changes, special exercise routines, and in |
| has suffered a trauma or injury. A fracture or | | | | severe cases, surgical intervention. The use of special |
| dislocation of the joint can actually block the supply | | | | assistive devices such as walkers and crutches can |
| of blood to the bone, which in turn causes the onset | | | | also be used to deal with the effects of this often |
| of osteonecrosis. Studies have determined that | | | | confounding condition. |
| approximately 20 per cent of those who suffer from | | | | Osteonecrosis is as devastating as it sounds, but it is |
| a hip injury will develop osteonecrosis, though keep in | | | | not untreatable. As with any serious medical |
| mind that these are generally significant traumas. A | | | | condition, work closely with your health care provider |
| bump or a bruise is not likely to lead to an onset of | | | | to develop a treatment plan that's right for your |
| osteonecrosis. | | | | personal circumstances. |
| The most significant early sign of osteonecrosis is | | | | |