Avascular Necrosis or AVN

Avascular Necrosis or AVN is caused by death of the bone tissue because there is a lack of blood supply to that bone. This lack of blood supply can lead to the bone breaking or collapsing. I can affect any bone, but usually the head of the femur is the most common site it will affect. The lack of blood supply to the bone can be caused by many reasons. Injury or trauma can be on reason and the most common reason. Excessive alcohol and steroid use can also be a cause.

Other names for Avascular Necrosis are ischemic bone necrosis, aseptic necrosis or osteonecrosis.

Symptoms can vary to pain in area of interest, loss of motion in area or sometimes the patient may not experience any symptoms at all.

Treatments:
Early stages of AVN may benefit from medications and late stages may require surgery which may include a total hip replacement.

MRI is the diagnostic modality of choice to detect Avascular Necrosis.

For more information on Avascular Necrosis you can visit mskcases.com