Osteonecrosis (Avascular Necrosis of Bone)

Osteonecrosis is a complication of corticosteroid use, alcohol use, trauma, SLE, pancreatitis, gout, sickle cell disease, dysbaric syndromes (eg, “the bends”), and infiltrative diseases (eg, Gaucher disease).

The most commonly affected sites are the proximal and distal femoral heads, leading to hip or knee pain.

Other commonly affected sites include the ankle, shoulder, and elbow.

Osteonecrosis of the jaw is associated with the dose-related use of bisphosphonates, usually when high-dose intravenous bisphosphonate therapy is used for treating metastatic cancer or plasma cell myeloma rather than osteoporosis.

Initially, radiographs are normal; MRI, CT scan, and bone scan are more sensitive techniques.

Treatment involves avoidance of weight bearing on the affected joint for at least several weeks.

The value of surgical core decompression is controversial.

For osteonecrosis of the hip, a variety of procedures designed to preserve the femoral head have been developed for early disease, including vascularized and nonvascularized bone grafting procedures. These procedures are most effective in avoiding or forestalling the need for total hip arthroplasty in young patients who do not have advanced disease.

Without intervention, the natural history of avascular necrosis is progression of the bony infarction to cortical collapse, resulting in significant joint dysfunction.

Total hip replacement is the usual outcome for all patients who are candidates.