Aseptic necrosis is the death of bone tissue due to lack of blood supply, often affecting large bones like the hip, shoulder, and knee. Causes include trauma, alcohol abuse, sickle cell disease, and corticosteroids. Surgery is often needed to graft healthy bone tissue and promote blood flow. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to avoid permanent health problems.
Aseptic necrosis is a condition in which bone tissue in a certain part of the body dies and falls off because it doesn’t get enough blood supply. Bone cell death usually occurs in large bones, such as the hip, shoulder, and knee, although smaller bones can also be affected. Aseptic necrosis can be caused by a number of environmental and genetic factors, particularly direct trauma, alcohol abuse, and sickle cell disease. The condition is progressive and can result in severe pain and debilitation if left untreated. Surgery is often needed to graft healthy bone tissue in the affected area and promote healthy blood flow throughout the body.
Bone tissue necrosis is usually the result of an injury that cuts off blood to a particular bone, such as can occur with a fracture or dislocation. Blood supply can also be affected by fatty deposits that build up in blood vessels after years of alcohol abuse. Corticosteroids can also lead to aseptic necrosis, although doctors aren’t sure exactly how they inhibit the blood supply. Other risk factors for aseptic necrosis include sickle cell disease, lupus, blood clots, and a family history of bone or blood problems.
In many cases, there is no apparent cause of the death of bone cells. Doctors call these cases primary or idiopathic necrosis. Men are more likely than women to suffer from primary necrosis, and most cases occur in people over the age of 50. Older people are more likely to experience the condition as bones generally become more brittle and prone to degeneration with age.
Most people who have the condition don’t notice symptoms in the early stages. When more bone cells die, an individual may notice pain and weakness in the affected area. The condition gets worse over time and eventually causes a loss of flexibility and mobility. It is possible for a bone to completely collapse in as little as five years, leaving the body part completely disabled. Early diagnosis and treatment of aseptic necrosis are essential to avoid permanent health problems.
If a doctor suspects aseptic necrosis, they may conduct x-rays, MRI tests, and computed tomography to get a clear picture of the bone and blood vessels. Doctors also try to determine the underlying causes by conducting blood tests and asking patients about their medical histories and lifestyles. Treatment is usually directed towards the causes of the aseptic necrosis to prevent further bone damage. A doctor may recommend that a patient stop using alcohol or corticosteroids or receive treatment for anemia or other medical conditions.
Aseptic necrosis in its later stages is usually treated surgically. A surgeon can graft healthy bone tissue from a less essential part of the body to the affected area. In many cases, bones need to be realigned to allow blood vessels to grow and function properly. If a bone is badly damaged, the surgeon may need to remove it completely and replace it with an artificial joint. Physical therapy and ongoing evaluations are important to ensure that patients make a full recovery.
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