Avascular Necrosis Pain

For people with avascular necrosis, pain usually develops gradually and may be mild or severe. Several treatments are available for relieving this pain, including nonsurgical and surgical options. The specific treatment your doctor recommends will be based on things like your age, the location and amount of bone affected, the stage of the avascular necrosis, and other factors.

Avascular Necrosis Information

Pain With Avascular Necrosis: An Introduction

Avascular necrosis symptoms vary based on the location and severity of the disease and whether the bone is a weight-bearing one. Except in early stages, pain is a common symptom of avascular necrosis.

Progression of Avascular Necrosis Pain

Most people with avascular necrosis experience joint pain -- at first, only when putting weight on the affected joint, and then even when resting. Pain with avascular necrosis usually develops gradually and may be mild or severe.

If the disease progresses and the bone and surrounding joint surface collapse, pain may develop or increase dramatically. Pain may be severe enough to limit the person's range of motion in the affected joint.

The period of time between the first signs of avascular necrosis pain and loss of joint function is different for each person, ranging from several months to more than a year.

Treating Pain With Avascular Necrosis

Several treatments are available for avascular necrosis pain, including nonsurgical and surgical options. The specific treatment the doctor recommends will be based on the:

Age of the patient
Stage of avascular necrosis (early or late)
Location and amount of bone affected
Underlying cause of avascular necrosis (with an ongoing cause, such as corticosteroid or alcohol use, treatment may not work unless use of the substance is stopped).

(Click Avascular Necrosis Treatment for more information about managing this disease.)