Avascular Necrosis Can Affect Anybody
Avascular necrosis in the hips of a patient.
Avascular Necrosis, also called osteonecrosis, is the death of bone tissue due to a lack of blood. Although it’s most often associated with people between 30 and 50, anybody can develop the condition.
Avascular necrosis can be caused by a broken bone or a dislocated joint that interferes with blood flow. Certain diseases, including pancreatitis, sickle cell anemia, HIV/AIDS, and Gaucher’s disease, can also reduce blood flow to the bones, causing avascular necrosis. Fat deposits in the blood caused by excessive drinking and high cholesterol levels can also cause it.
The use of corticosteroids, such as prednisone, is commonly associated with this condition, although the exact cause is unknown. Some doctors suspect that corticosteroids increase the lipid levels of the blood, reducing blood flow.
Other medications and treatments are also associated with the condition. Long-term use of medications like bisphosphonate, which increases bone density, may lead to osteonecrosis of the jaw. Radiation therapy in cancer treatments can weaken bone and cause the condition to develop. Organ transplants, particularly kidney transplants, are also associated with avascular necrosis.
Risk Factors
To reduce the risks of developing the condition, you should avoid anything that limits blood flow, including:
- Stop smoking. Smoking narrows blood vessels, which reduces blood flow.
- Limit alcohol use. One of the significant risk factors for developing avascular necrosis is heavy alcohol use.
- Avoid steroid use. Steroid-related bone damage can worsen the longer a person continues to use high-dose steroids.
- Keep cholesterol levels low. Taking cholesterol medications, like statins, can lower your risk of developing the condition.
Symptoms of Avascular Necrosis
In the early stages of avascular necrosis, people may not have any symptoms. Even as the condition worsens, people may only feel pain in affected areas when they put weight on them. Eventually, the pain can become constant, even when lying down. The hips, knees, and legs are often affected by avascular necrosis, as these are major weight-bearing bones. However, the shoulders, arms, hands and feet can also be affected.
Diagnosis and Treatment
People suspected of developing the condition have suspected areas examined by a doctor by pressing around the joints and checking for tenderness. They may also check to see if the range of motion has been affected. In cases where joint pain is present, imaging tests, such as X-rays, bone scans, or MRI and CT scans, can help pinpoint the sources of pain.
Medications are used to treat the early stages of avascular necrosis. These include:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Cholesterol-lowering drugs
- Osteoporosis drugs
- Blood thinners
- Medications that open blood vessels
Your doctor may also recommend therapy. These include:
- Rest and keeping weight off the affected areas can help slow bone damage.
- Exercise can help improve the range of motion in an affected joint.
- Electrical stimulation by electrodes attached to the skin can stimulate the growth of bone.
As most people don’t experience symptoms until the necrosis becomes advanced, the best treatment option may be surgery. There are several effective surgical options.
Visit Vejthani Hospital
If you’re experiencing joint or bone pain and think you may be developing avascular necrosis, please make an appointment at Vejthani Hospital for an examination and consultation.
