BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuOsteonecrosisAvascular necrosis; Bone infarction; Ischemic bone necrosis; AVN; Aseptic necrosisOsteonecrosis is bone death caused by poor blood supply. It is most common in the hip and shoulder but can affect other large joints such as the knee, elbow, wrist, and ankle. Causes Osteonecrosis occurs when part of the bone does not get blood flow and dies. After a while, the bone can collapse. If osteonecrosis is not treated, the joint deteriorates, leading to severe arthritis.Osteonecrosis can be caused by disease or by severe trauma, such as a fracture or dislocation, that affects the blood supply to the bone. Osteonecrosis can also occur without trauma or disease. This is called idiopathic -- meaning it occurs without any known cause.FractureIf more pressure is put on a bone than it can stand, it will split or break. A break of any size is called a fracture. If the broken bone punctures...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article DislocationA dislocation is a separation of two ends of the bones where they meet at a joint. A joint is the place where two bones connect, which allows moveme...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article The following are possible causes:Using oral or intravenous steroids Excessive alcohol use Sickle cell disease or any blood condition that causes abnormal blood clotting Sickle cell diseaseSickle cell disease is a disorder passed down through families. The red blood cells that are normally shaped like a disk take on a sickle or crescen...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Dislocation or fractures around a joint Clotting disorders HIV or taking HIV drugs HIVHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). When a person becomes infected with HIV, the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Radiation therapy or chemotherapy Radiation therapyRadiation therapy uses high-powered radiation (such as x-rays or gamma rays), particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Gaucher disease (disease in which harmful substances build-up in certain organs and the bones) Gaucher diseaseGaucher disease is a rare genetic disorder in which a person lacks an enzyme called glucocerebrosidase (GBA).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Systemic lupus erythematosus (an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue such as the skin, joints, and certain organs) Systemic lupus erythematosusSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease. In this disease, the immune system of the body mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. It c...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (childhood disease in which the thigh bone in the hip doesn't get enough blood, causing the bone to die) Legg-Calve-Perthes diseaseLegg-Calve-Perthes disease occurs when the ball of the thigh bone in the hip does not get enough blood, causing the bone to die.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Decompression sickness from a lot of deep sea diving When osteonecrosis occurs in the shoulder joint, it is usually due to long-term treatment with steroids, a history of trauma to the shoulder, or the person has sickle cell disease or any abnormal blood clotting conditions. Symptoms There are no symptoms in the early stages. As bone damage worsens, you may have the following symptoms: Pain in the joint that may increase over time and becomes severe if the bone collapses Pain that occurs even at rest Limited range of motion Groin pain, if the hip joint is affected Limping, if the condition occurs in the leg Difficulty with overhead movement, if the shoulder joint is affected Worsening arthritic symptoms in the joint when the condition deteriorates Exams and Tests Your health care provider will do a physical exam to find out if you have any diseases or conditions that may affect your bones. You will be asked about your symptoms and medical history.Be sure to let your provider know about any medicines or vitamin supplements you are taking, even over-the-counter medicine.After the exam, your provider will order one or more of the following tests:X-ray X-rayX-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. An x-ray machine sends individual x-ray waves through the body. The images...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MRI MRIA magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the body. It does not us...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bone scan Bone scanA bone scan is an imaging test used to diagnose bone diseases and find out how severe they are.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CT scanCT scanA computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. Related tests include:Abdomin...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment If your provider knows the cause of your osteonecrosis, part of the treatment will be aimed at the underlying condition. For example, if a blood disorder is the cause, treatment will consist, in part, medicine to treat it.If the condition is caught early, you will take pain relievers and limit use of the affected area. This may include using crutches if your hip, knee, or ankle is affected. You may need to do range-of-motion exercises. Nonsurgical treatment can often slow the progression of osteonecrosis, but most people will need surgery.Surgical options include:A bone graft Bone graftA bone graft is surgery to place new bone or bone substitutes into spaces around a broken bone or bone defects.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A bone graft along with its blood supply (vascularized bone graft) Removing part of the inside of the bone (core decompression) to relieve pressure and allow new blood vessels to form Cutting the bone and changing its alignment to relieve stress on the bone or joint (osteotomy) Replacing the deteriorated part with a donor osteochondral allograft Partial or total joint replacement Support Groups More information and support for people with osteonecrosis and their families can be found at:National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases -- www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/osteonecrosis The Arthritis Foundation -- www.arthritis.org/ Outlook (Prognosis) How well you do depends on the following:The cause of the osteonecrosis How severe the disease is when diagnosed Amount of bone involved Your age and overall health Outcome may vary from complete healing to permanent damage in the affected bone. Possible Complications Advanced osteonecrosis can lead to osteoarthritis and permanent decreased mobility. Severe cases may require joint replacement.OsteoarthritisOsteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder. It is due to aging and wear and tear on a joint.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you have symptoms. Prevention Many cases of osteonecrosis do not have a known cause, so prevention may not be possible. In some cases, you can reduce your risk by doing the following: Avoid drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. When possible, avoid high doses and long-term use of corticosteroids. Follow safety measures when diving to avoid decompression sickness.Open ReferencesReferencesMcAlindon T, Carrino JA. Osteonecrosis. In: Hochberg MC, Gravallese EM, Smolen JS, Weinblatt ME, Weisman MH, eds. Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 208.Whyte MP. Osteonecrosis, osteosclerosis/hyperostosis, and other disorders of the bone. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 234.AllVideoImagesTogAseptic necrosis - illustration Aseptic necrosis is bone death caused from a disruption in the blood supply. It is most common in the hip, knee, and shoulder.Aseptic necrosisillustrationAseptic necrosis - illustration Aseptic necrosis is bone death caused from a disruption in the blood supply. It is most common in the hip, knee, and shoulder.Aseptic necrosisillustrationRelated Information Broken bone(Injury)Dislocation(Injury)Sickle cell disease(Condition)Radiation therapy(Special Topic)Gaucher disease(Condition)Knee joint replacement(Surgery)Hip joint replacement(Surgery)Osteoarthritis - InDepth(In-Depth)Coronary artery disease - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 4/24/2023 Reviewed By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
OsteonecrosisAvascular necrosis; Bone infarction; Ischemic bone necrosis; AVN; Aseptic necrosisOsteonecrosis is bone death caused by poor blood supply. It is most common in the hip and shoulder but can affect other large joints such as the knee, elbow, wrist, and ankle. Causes Osteonecrosis occurs when part of the bone does not get blood flow and dies. After a while, the bone can collapse. If osteonecrosis is not treated, the joint deteriorates, leading to severe arthritis.Osteonecrosis can be caused by disease or by severe trauma, such as a fracture or dislocation, that affects the blood supply to the bone. Osteonecrosis can also occur without trauma or disease. This is called idiopathic -- meaning it occurs without any known cause.FractureIf more pressure is put on a bone than it can stand, it will split or break. A break of any size is called a fracture. If the broken bone punctures...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article DislocationA dislocation is a separation of two ends of the bones where they meet at a joint. A joint is the place where two bones connect, which allows moveme...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article The following are possible causes:Using oral or intravenous steroids Excessive alcohol use Sickle cell disease or any blood condition that causes abnormal blood clotting Sickle cell diseaseSickle cell disease is a disorder passed down through families. The red blood cells that are normally shaped like a disk take on a sickle or crescen...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Dislocation or fractures around a joint Clotting disorders HIV or taking HIV drugs HIVHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). When a person becomes infected with HIV, the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Radiation therapy or chemotherapy Radiation therapyRadiation therapy uses high-powered radiation (such as x-rays or gamma rays), particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Gaucher disease (disease in which harmful substances build-up in certain organs and the bones) Gaucher diseaseGaucher disease is a rare genetic disorder in which a person lacks an enzyme called glucocerebrosidase (GBA).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Systemic lupus erythematosus (an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue such as the skin, joints, and certain organs) Systemic lupus erythematosusSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease. In this disease, the immune system of the body mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. It c...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (childhood disease in which the thigh bone in the hip doesn't get enough blood, causing the bone to die) Legg-Calve-Perthes diseaseLegg-Calve-Perthes disease occurs when the ball of the thigh bone in the hip does not get enough blood, causing the bone to die.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Decompression sickness from a lot of deep sea diving When osteonecrosis occurs in the shoulder joint, it is usually due to long-term treatment with steroids, a history of trauma to the shoulder, or the person has sickle cell disease or any abnormal blood clotting conditions. Symptoms There are no symptoms in the early stages. As bone damage worsens, you may have the following symptoms: Pain in the joint that may increase over time and becomes severe if the bone collapses Pain that occurs even at rest Limited range of motion Groin pain, if the hip joint is affected Limping, if the condition occurs in the leg Difficulty with overhead movement, if the shoulder joint is affected Worsening arthritic symptoms in the joint when the condition deteriorates Exams and Tests Your health care provider will do a physical exam to find out if you have any diseases or conditions that may affect your bones. You will be asked about your symptoms and medical history.Be sure to let your provider know about any medicines or vitamin supplements you are taking, even over-the-counter medicine.After the exam, your provider will order one or more of the following tests:X-ray X-rayX-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. An x-ray machine sends individual x-ray waves through the body. The images...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MRI MRIA magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the body. It does not us...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bone scan Bone scanA bone scan is an imaging test used to diagnose bone diseases and find out how severe they are.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CT scanCT scanA computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. Related tests include:Abdomin...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment If your provider knows the cause of your osteonecrosis, part of the treatment will be aimed at the underlying condition. For example, if a blood disorder is the cause, treatment will consist, in part, medicine to treat it.If the condition is caught early, you will take pain relievers and limit use of the affected area. This may include using crutches if your hip, knee, or ankle is affected. You may need to do range-of-motion exercises. Nonsurgical treatment can often slow the progression of osteonecrosis, but most people will need surgery.Surgical options include:A bone graft Bone graftA bone graft is surgery to place new bone or bone substitutes into spaces around a broken bone or bone defects.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A bone graft along with its blood supply (vascularized bone graft) Removing part of the inside of the bone (core decompression) to relieve pressure and allow new blood vessels to form Cutting the bone and changing its alignment to relieve stress on the bone or joint (osteotomy) Replacing the deteriorated part with a donor osteochondral allograft Partial or total joint replacement Support Groups More information and support for people with osteonecrosis and their families can be found at:National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases -- www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/osteonecrosis The Arthritis Foundation -- www.arthritis.org/ Outlook (Prognosis) How well you do depends on the following:The cause of the osteonecrosis How severe the disease is when diagnosed Amount of bone involved Your age and overall health Outcome may vary from complete healing to permanent damage in the affected bone. Possible Complications Advanced osteonecrosis can lead to osteoarthritis and permanent decreased mobility. Severe cases may require joint replacement.OsteoarthritisOsteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder. It is due to aging and wear and tear on a joint.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you have symptoms. Prevention Many cases of osteonecrosis do not have a known cause, so prevention may not be possible. In some cases, you can reduce your risk by doing the following: Avoid drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. When possible, avoid high doses and long-term use of corticosteroids. Follow safety measures when diving to avoid decompression sickness.Open ReferencesReferencesMcAlindon T, Carrino JA. Osteonecrosis. In: Hochberg MC, Gravallese EM, Smolen JS, Weinblatt ME, Weisman MH, eds. Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 208.Whyte MP. Osteonecrosis, osteosclerosis/hyperostosis, and other disorders of the bone. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 234.