Osteonecrosis of the Hip
Also known as avascular necrosis (AVN), osteonecrosis of the hip can cause pain which can be debilitating in and around the hip joint. In the vast majority of cases, the condition worsens over time, and without treatment, it can cause the tissue in the hip to die, and the affected bone in the hip joint collapses over a few months or years. Because it may take from several months to over a year for osteonecrosis of the hip to progress, and because for some people, osteonecrosis of the hip is asymptomatic and discovered incidentally, early diagnosis and treatment can delay the condition’s progress. The place to start is with the best orthopedic specialists who have performed multiple surgeries to treat osteonecrosis of the hip. You’ll find them at the Colorado Center of Orthopaedic Excellence in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The most experienced professionals ensure the best outcomes.
OVERVIEW
Avascular necrosis (AVN), also known as osteonecrosis, is the death of bone tissue caused by a disruption of blood flow within a bone. The condition usually affects the ends of bones where they terminate in a joint. Though AVN can occur in the ankle, elbow, shoulder, and jaw, it most commonly affects the hip joint. There are an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 new AVN diagnoses in the United States every year. The condition can occur in people of any age, but it is most commonly diagnosed in people between ages 30 and 65. Osteonecrosis of the hip is the underlying cause of around 10% of all total hip replacement procedures. About 20% of people who dislocate their hips (the hip is no longer aligned in the joint as it normally would be) develop AVN. Unlike osteoarthritis of the hip which generally develops slowly over years, the different stages of AVN progress fairly quickly. There is no definitive answer; it could take 12-18 months or could develop much more rapidly over a few months.
ABOUT THE HIP
The hip is one of the largest joints in the body. It is a connection point between the legs and the torso. Specifically, it’s made up of the thigh bone (femur)and the hip bone (pelvis). The femur is a long bone with a rounded top. The round part of the femur fits into a cup-like socket in the pelvis called the acetabulum. A ball-and-socket joint, lets the leg move at 3 degrees to allow for the following movements: flexing, extension, rotation, a back-and-forth motion, and a circular motion. Several components that make up the hip joint are bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. Muscles in the hips include gluteals, adductor muscles, iliopsoas muscle (a deep muscle group that connects the spine to the lower limbs), quadriceps, and hamstrings.
WHAT IS OSTEONECROSIS OF THE HIP?
Osteonecrosis of the hip (avascular necrosis) is a painful condition that occurs when the blood supply to the head of the femur is disrupted. Because bone cells need a steady supply of blood to stay healthy, the blood vessels gradually cut off nourishment to the top of the thighbone where it fits into the hip socket. Without blood, the head of the femur dies and collapses. If AVN happens near a joint, the joint surface may collapse. Some people can develop AVN on both sides. Traumatic osteonecrosis of the hip happens after breaking a bone or dislocating a joint. Non-traumatic AVN happens if one has an illness or medical condition that keeps blood from flowing to the bone tissue. Osteonecrosis of the hip typically progresses through four stages:
Stage 1: initial or preclinical stage, with often asymptomatic symptoms or mild pain and discomfort. Pathology: early death of bone cells, with no significant changes in bone structure yet.
Stage 2: early stage with increasing pain, particularly with weight-bearing activities. Pathology: early structural changes in the bone with more noticeable cell death and the beginning of bone fragmentation.
Stage 3: persistent and possibly severe pain and decreased joint function. Pathology: significant bone fragmentation and the collapse of the subchondral joint leading to joint instability.
Stage 4: Late Stage: severe pain and disability, major impairment of joint function. Pathology: complete collapse of the affected bone, severe arthritis, and potential involvement of adjacent bones and joints.
Read more about Osteonecrosis of the Hip on our new Colorado Springs Orthopedic News Site – Colorado Springs Orthopedic News. Schedule an appointment with a hip specialist today.
