Avascular Necrosis – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Avascular necrosis is a condition where bone tissue dies due to lack of blood supply. This can lead to tiny breaks in the bone and the bone’s eventual collapse.
The hip is the most commonly affected joint, but avascular necrosis can also occur in other bones. The symptoms of avascular necrosis can vary based on the affected joint.
For example, those with hip avascular necrosis may feel pain in the groin or buttocks. Meanwhile, those with knee avascular necrosis may experience knee pain.
There is no single cause of avascular necrosis, but several risk factors can make a person more likely to develop the condition. These risk factors include excessive alcohol consumption and the use of corticosteroids.
Other risk factors include having certain medical conditions or undergoing specific medical treatments. These include sickle cell anemia and radiation therapy.
Signs and Symptoms
Most people with early avascular necrosis have no symptoms. As the condition progresses, joint pain typically appears when bearing weight.
In advanced cases, pain may occur even at rest. Pain intensity ranges from mild to severe and tends to develop slowly over time.
Hip avascular necrosis often causes discomfort in the groin, thigh, or buttock area. While the hip is commonly affected, this condition can also develop in the shoulder, knee, hand, and foot.
Some patients experience avascular necrosis bilaterally. This means it affects matching joints on both sides of the body, such as both hips or both knees.
