Osteonecrosis, also known as avascular necrosis or aseptic necrosis, is the death of a region of the bone when its blood supply is interrupted, with a bone infarction, which causes pain, bone collapse and can lead to severe osteoarthritis.
Although it can occur in any bone in the body, osteonecrosis occurs most often in the hip, affecting the area of the femoral head, as well as in the knees, shoulders, ankles, wrists or jaw.
- Treatment is performed by the orthopedist.
- And consists of the use of medications to relieve symptoms.
- With anti-inflammatory drugs.
- In addition to rest and physiotherapy.
- However.
- Surgery may also be indicated to correct changes or even to replace the joint.
- Prosthesis.
Initially, osteonecrosis may have no symptoms and is difficult to see in imaging studies, but as blood flow deteriorates and the bone becomes more affected, symptoms such as pain in the affected joint may appear, resulting in difficulty walking or daily activities.
One or more bones may be involved in this disease and, in osteonecrosis of the hip, one or both sides may be affected.Also learn how to identify other causes of hip pain.
In the face of suspected hip osteonecrosis, the orthopedist may perform a physical assessment and request tests such as x-rays or MRI of the affected area, which may show signs of bone necrosis, as well as bone adaptations that may occur, such as osteoarthritis.
The main causes of osteonecrosis are bone damage from trauma, such as fractures or dislocations; however, non-traumatic causes include:
People who smoke may also be more likely to develop osteonecrosis, as smoking causes difficulties in supplying blood to the body.
In addition, there are cases where it is not possible to discover the cause of the disease, and these cases are called idiopathic osteonecrosis.
Treatment of osteonecrosis is guided by the orthopedist (or maxillofacial surgeon for osteonecrosis of the jaw) and includes the use of analgesics and anti-inflammatory to relieve symptoms, rest the patient.’affected joint, physical therapy, in addition to removing the cause that can make the blood insufficient.
However, the main treatment that generates better results to cure osteonecrosis is surgery, which involves performing bone decompression, placing a bone graft or, in the most severe cases, replacing the joint.
Physical therapy is very important to help the patient recover and may vary depending on type and severity. When the bone is severely affected by the difficulty of blood supply, it is common for a decrease in joint space and inflammation, so osteoarthritis and arthritis is common.
In physical therapy, bodybuilding, joint mobilization and stretching exercises may be performed to reduce the risk of complications in the affected area, such as a fracture, and even to avoid placement of prostheses; devices can also help control pain and strengthen muscles.
See how the treatment can be done after the hip replacement is fitted.