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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffAvascular necrosis typically causes pain and reduced range of motion in the affected joint. The most common joints affected by avascular necrosis include:
- Hip. In addition to pain in the hip joint itself, pain also may radiate into your groin or go down your thigh to your knee.
- Knee. In avascular necrosis of the knee, the pain occurs most often on the inside of the knee and worsens with activity.
- Shoulder. Several bones come together at the shoulder, but the one most commonly affected by avascular necrosis is the upper arm bone.
Some people experience avascular necrosis bilaterally — for example, in both hips or in both knees. Signs and symptoms may appear suddenly if caused by an injury. In other cases, the pain and stiffness may build up slowly over several months. Some people with avascular necrosis experience no symptoms at all.
Other joints that are affected by avascular necrosis include:
- Ankles
- Feet
- Hands
- Jaw
- Spine
- Wrists
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you experience persistent pain in any joint. Seek immediate medical attention if you believe you have a broken bone or a dislocated joint.
- What is osteonecrosis? National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Osteonecrosis/osteonecrosis_ff.asp. Accessed Oct. 26, 2009.
- Donohue JP. Osteonecrosis (avascular necrosis of bone). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 26, 2009.
- McKown K. Osteonecrosis. American College of Rheumatology. http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/diseases_and_conditions/osteonecrosis.asp?aud=pat. Accessed Oct. 26, 2009.
- Osteonecrosis of the hip. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfmtopic=A00216. Accessed Oct. 26, 2009.
- Chang C, et al. Osteonecrosis. In: Firestein GS, et al. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. Philadelphia, Pa.: W.B. Saunders Co.; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/167338938-3/908256960/1807/704.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3285-4..10094-4_3424. Accessed Oct. 27, 2009.
- Goytia RN, et al. Bisphosphonates and osteonecrosis: Potential treatment or serious complication? Orthopedic Clinics of North America. 2009;40:223.
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