Osteonecrosis

What is it?

Points To Remember About Osteonecrosis

• Osteonecrosis is a bone disease that may cause pain or limit physical activity.
• Anyone can get osteonecrosis, but it is most common in people in their 30s, 40s, and 50s.
• Osteonecrosis results from the loss of blood supply to the bone. Without blood, the bone tissue dies and the bone collapses.
• Loss of blood supply to the bone can be caused by medicines or medical procedures, medical conditions, alcohol use, injury, or increased bone pressure. It is not always known what causes the loss of blood supply to the bone.
• Most people with osteonecrosis need treatment. Your treatment options may be nonsurgical, surgical, or both.

Osteonecrosis is a bone disease. It results from the loss of blood supply to the bone. Without blood, the bone tissue dies. This causes the bone to collapse. It may also cause the joints that surround the bone to collapse. If you have osteonecrosis, you may have pain or be limited in your physical activity.

Osteonecrosis can develop in any bone, most often in the:

• Thigh bone (femur).
• Upper arm bone (humerus).
• Knees.
• Shoulders.
• Ankles.

It is also called:

• Avascular necrosis.
• Aseptic necrosis.
• Ischemic necrosis.