What Bones Are Affected by Avascular Necrosis?
Although it can happen in any bone, avascular necrosis most commonly affects the ends (epiphyses) of long bones such as the femur -- the bone extending from the knee joint to the hip joint. Other common sites of avascular necrosis include:
- Upper arm bone
- Knees
- Shoulders
- Ankles.
Avascular necrosis may affect just one bone, more than one bone at the same time, or more than one bone at different times.
Avascular necrosis usually affects men and women between 30 and 50 years of age. Depending on a person's risk factors and whether the underlying cause is trauma, it also can affect younger or older people. About 10,000 to 20,000 people develop avascular necrosis each year. Orthopedic doctors are the ones who usually diagnose avascular necrosis.
Causes of Avascular Necrosis
There are several
causes of avascular necrosis. These causes can be separated as causes related to trauma (trauma-related avascular necrosis) and causes not related to trauma (nontraumatic avascular necrosis). The two most common nontraumatic causes of avascular necrosis are steroid medicines and alcohol use.
Symptoms of Avascular Necrosis
Avascular necrosis symptoms vary based on the location and severity of avascular necrosis and whether the bone is a weight-bearing one.
In the early stages of the disease, patients may not have any symptoms of avascular necrosis. As the condition progresses, however, symptoms can include:
Other health problems can also cause these symptoms, so anyone with possible symptoms of avascular necrosis should see a doctor. Only a doctor can diagnose and treat the problem.
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