Osteonecrosis

Summary

Osteonecrosis is a disease caused by reduced blood flow to bones in the joints. In people with healthy bones, new bone is always replacing old bone. In osteonecrosis, the lack of blood causes the bone to break down faster than the body can make enough new bone. The bone starts to die and may break down.

You can have osteonecrosis in one or several bones. It is most common in the upper leg. Other common sites are your upper arm and your knees, shoulders and ankles. The disease can affect men and women of any age, but it usually strikes in your thirties, forties or fifties.

At first, you might not have any symptoms. As the disease gets worse, you will probably have joint pain that becomes more severe. You may not be able to bend or move the affected joint very well.

No one is sure what causes the disease. Risk factors include :

• Long-term steroid treatment
• Alcohol misuse
• Joint injuries
• Having certain diseases, including arthritis and cancer

Doctors use imaging tests and other tests to diagnose osteonecrosis. Treatments include medicines, using crutches, limiting activities that put weight on the affected joints, electrical stimulation and surgery.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Start Here

• Avascular Necrosis Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Osteonecrosis American College of Rheumatology
• Osteonecrosis National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Diagnosis and Tests

• Body CT Radiological Society of North America
• Bone Scan Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Bone X-Ray (Radiography) Radiological Society of North America

Treatments and Therapies

• Bone Grafts: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
• Hip Replacement Surgery National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Osteonecrosis National Institutes of Health

Specifics

• Kienböck’s Disease American Society for Surgery of the Hand
• Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ) American College of Rheumatology

Children

• Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease (For Parents) Nemours Foundation

Genetics

• Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine

Find an Expert

• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Patient Handouts

• Osteonecrosis Medical Encyclopedia

Journal Articles

• Osteonecrosis