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Avascular necrosis is caused by restricted blood supply to bones, leading to weakness, breakage, and potential collapse. Trauma, alcohol consumption, and corticosteroid use are common causes. Prompt medical treatment is necessary, and diagnosis involves X-rays and imaging. Treatment includes medication, rest, exercise, and surgery. Early identification is crucial for successful treatment.
Avascular necrosis is a medical condition caused by a restriction of blood supply to the bones of the body. When a bone is deprived of blood, it begins to weaken and break and will eventually collapse, potentially causing serious problems. The condition affects people of all ages and physical conditions and requires prompt medical treatment for the best chance of recovery. In some cases, it can become a permanent problem that will require extensive monitoring to ensure the patient’s bones remain healthy.
Three main causes of avascular necrosis are trauma, excessive alcohol consumption, and corticosteroid use. The condition can also be caused by sudden decompression, radiation damage, sickle cell disease, and high blood pressure, among other things. Sometimes there is no clear explanation for avascular necrosis, in which case it may be known as idiopathic necrosis. Some doctors also call the condition osteonecrosis, aseptic necrosis, or ischemic bone necrosis.
Joints are common victims of avascular necrosis, especially the hip joints. The condition can also affect the shoulders, knees and jaw. Typically, the condition is diagnosed after a patient complains of persistent joint pain; if you experience recurring or persistent pain, it is very important to see a doctor to get to the root cause. The longer avascular necrosis goes untreated, the more damage to the bone the condition can cause; if left too long, it can lead to permanent disability.
To diagnose avascular necrosis, doctors use X-rays, imaging studies, and bone scans to investigate the area in question. Patients can be treated in various ways; there are some medications that can reduce pain and promote bone regrowth, and patients are encouraged to rest and use special exercises to gently support the affected area. Surgical treatments include grafting of healthy bone and joint replacement. Doctors generally also like to find and treat the cause of the problem to make sure it doesn’t come back.
The blood supply to the bones is very important, as is prompt treatment of any disruption to this blood supply. The prognosis for avascular necrosis varies enormously, depending on the patient’s physical condition, where the necrosis strikes, and what stage the condition was in when it was diagnosed. If left too long, avascular necrosis can cause total bone collapse, which would require extensive surgical treatment. Patients lucky enough to identify problems early may be able to treat the condition with rest, medications, and specialized exercise treatments to promote bone growth and blood flow.
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