10 Avascular Necrosis Symptoms

By leslie

Reviewed: dr. stavarache

Article Sources

Article Sources

• 1. ’Avascular Necrosis’ Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/avascular-necrosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20369859
• 2. Barney J; Piuzzi N; Akhondi H. ‘Femoral Head Avascular Necrosis.’ StatPearls (Internet). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546658
• 3. ’Kienbock’s Disease.’ The American Society for Surgery of the Hand. https://www.assh.org/handcare/condition/kienbocks-disease
• 4. Gallard F. ‘Kummell Disease.’ Radiopaedia. https://radiopaedia.org/articles/kummell-disease-1?lang=us
• 5. Etier B’ Doyle J; Gilbert S. ‘Avascular Necrosis of Trochlea After Supracondylar Humerus Fractures in Children.’ American Journal of Orthopedic Surgery. 2015 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26447417
• 6. Agarwal R; Gupta R; Singh S; Gupta K; Kudeia M. ‘Avascular necrosis of humeral head in an elderly patient with tuberculosis: a case report,’ Journal of Medical Case Reports. 2008. https://jmedicalcasereports.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1752-1947-2-361

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Avascular necrosis, or AVN, is a condition in which a bone, particularly in a joint, suffers a decrease in blood flow. The result is that part of the bone dies and eventually collapses. There are often no symptoms in the early stages, but symptoms become worse and harder to tolerate as the disease progresses. The condition occurs most often in people aged 30 to 50.

Symptoms may improve with non-steroidal pain medication, blood thinners or other medical interventions. In severe stages, surgery may be effective in treating it and relieving pain. Unfortunately, this is a progressive disease that won't get better without treatment.

Symptoms of Avascular Necrosis of the Hip

Avascular necrosis occurs most often in the hip joint following fracture or dislocation. It is also associated with alcoholism, radiation therapy and high steroid use. Fatty deposits in the blood can play a part as they block blood flow to the hip.

In the early stages of hip AVN, there may be no symptoms at all. X-rays are typically normal at this stage. As the condition progresses, pain arises when standing, centering on the groin area, thigh or buttocks. Eventually, the joint will hurt even when lying down, as the bone slowly collapses. Severe arthritis may follow.¹’Avascular Necrosis’ Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/avascular-necrosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20369859^,2Barney J; Piuzzi N; Akhondi H. ‘Femoral Head Avascular Necrosis.’ StatPearls (Internet). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546658