National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Osteonecrosis is the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
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National Institutes of Health
Osteonecrosis
Also called: Aseptic necrosis, Avascular necrosis, Ischemic necrosis
Osteonecrosis occurs when your bones lose their blood supply. The bones die and eventually collapse, leading to pain and arthritis. You can have osteonecrosis in one or several bones. It is most common in the upper leg. Other common sites are your upper arm and your knees, shoulders and ankles. The disease can affect men and women of any age, but it usually strikes in your thirties, forties or fifties.
Early in the disease you might not have any symptoms. Later, you will probably have joint pain that becomes more severe as the disease gets worse.
No one is sure what causes the disease. Risk factors include
- Long-term steroid treatment
- Alcohol abuse
- Joint injuries
- Having certain diseases, including arthritis and cancer
Treatments include medicines, using crutches, limiting activities that put weight on the affected joints, electrical stimulation and surgery.
NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
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Start Here
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What Is Osteonecrosis?
(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
- Also available in Spanish
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What Is Osteonecrosis?
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Learn More
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The bottom row in the table of contents box contains the following groups:
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Reference Shelf
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Overviews
- Avascular Necrosis(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Osteonecrosis(American College of Rheumatology)
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Osteonecrosis (Avascular Necrosis)(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
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Diagnosis/Symptoms
- Bone Scan(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Bone X-Ray (Radiography)(American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America)
- Also available in Spanish
- CT -- Body(American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America)
- Also available in Spanish
- MRI(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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Treatment
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Hip Replacement(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
- Also available in Spanish
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MedlinePlus: Bone Grafts(National Library of Medicine)
- NSAIDs(Consumers Union of U.S.)
- Also available in Spanish
- Osteotomy of the Knee(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)
- Total Joint Replacement(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)
- Also available in Spanish
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What Is a Hip Replacement?(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
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Hip Replacement
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Specific Conditions
- Kienböck's Disease(American Society for Surgery of the Hand, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)
- Osteonecrosis of the Hip(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)
- Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ)(American College of Rheumatology)
- Osteonecrosis of the Knee(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)
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Related Issues
- Osteoporosis and Oral Health(American Dental Association)
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Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Osteonecrosis(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
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Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
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Organizations
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Children
- Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Perthes Disease(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)
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Patient Handouts
- Osteonecrosis
- Also available in Spanish
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MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA