Osteonecrosis Explained
How many times have you heard of a patient who suffers with arthritis? The word "arthritis" is often used as a sort of umbrella term describing pain and stiffness in the joints. In reality, there are more than 100 different types of arthritis. Many of these, including osteonecrosis, can have an irreversible and debilitating effect on the body.
How is Osteonecrosis Different?
Osteonecrosis, a severe form of arthritis, causes the bone to lose its supply of blood. Affected bones and joints will actually disintegrate as the disease progresses, causing eventual death of the bone. It's a challenge for doctors to treat this condition in its early stages, because most patients don't even manifest symptoms until the disease has reached an advanced stage.
Symptoms
Pain and stiffness after a period of physical activity is the most common symptom of osteonecrosis. For many patients with osteonecrosis in the hip, concentrated pain is felt in the groin area. During early stages of the disease, pain is evident only when the affected area is in use. Over time, however, pain will be felt even while the joint is at rest.
How is Osteonecrosis Diagnosed?
A diagnosis of osteonecrosis can be made with the use of X-rays, but only in cases where the disease has progressed beyond the initial stages. Doctors can also detect tissue damage using an MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging machine. For some patients, a CAT scan is required to make a firm diagnosis.
Treatment
Aggressive treatment may be required to stop the disintegration of the joints. The earlier the disease is diagnosed, the better the chance that the affected areas can be saved. If the disease has progressed into the advanced stages, however, it may be too late to treat and save the damaged joints.
Different types of surgical intervention are sometimes required to treat many cases of osteonecrosis:
* Core Decompression is a relatively simple procedure. This option is usually reserved for patients with fairly mild symptoms. This procedure involves the creation of a hole in the bone. The surgeon will remove a thick layer of the affected bone, increasing blood flow to the bone and reducing pressure.
* Bone Grafting is a common, yet complicated, procedure. To support the affected joints, healthy bone is removed and used to replace dead bone in the affected area. This grafting process is only used for patients experiencing the final stage of osteonecrosis. Post-surgical healing is promoted with the use of assistive devices for up to a year after surgery.
* Osteotomy: An osteotomy is performed by cutting the bone below the affected area. The doctor will turn the bone, causing the healthy bone to become the new weight-bearing area. This procedure is complicated and reserved for patients experiencing advanced osteonecrosis.
* Arthoplasty: More commonly known as total hip replacement, this surgery is an option when the entire hip socket has become diseased. Doctors remove the damaged hip and insert an artificial joint in place.
When an osteonecrosis diagnosis is made early enough, it may be possible to treat the disease without surgery. Doctors may choose to prescribe drug therapies in an attempt to keep the disease from progressing. Medications, when combined with exercise and assistive devices, can be used successfully in less advanced cases. Researchers are now working to produce new medications that help to promote the growth of new bone matter while increasing blood flow to the damaged joints.
Like most diseases, early detection is the key to successful treatment of osteonecrosis, however it is not easily diagnosed. If you feel that you may be experiencing the symptoms of osteonecrosis, ask your doctor to perform further tests. If diagnosed early enough, you may be able to treat the condition and relieve the symptoms without surgery. Rosamond Gaven
How is Osteonecrosis Different?
Osteonecrosis, a severe form of arthritis, causes the bone to lose its supply of blood. Affected bones and joints will actually disintegrate as the disease progresses, causing eventual death of the bone. It's a challenge for doctors to treat this condition in its early stages, because most patients don't even manifest symptoms until the disease has reached an advanced stage.
Symptoms
Pain and stiffness after a period of physical activity is the most common symptom of osteonecrosis. For many patients with osteonecrosis in the hip, concentrated pain is felt in the groin area. During early stages of the disease, pain is evident only when the affected area is in use. Over time, however, pain will be felt even while the joint is at rest.
How is Osteonecrosis Diagnosed?
A diagnosis of osteonecrosis can be made with the use of X-rays, but only in cases where the disease has progressed beyond the initial stages. Doctors can also detect tissue damage using an MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging machine. For some patients, a CAT scan is required to make a firm diagnosis.
Treatment
Aggressive treatment may be required to stop the disintegration of the joints. The earlier the disease is diagnosed, the better the chance that the affected areas can be saved. If the disease has progressed into the advanced stages, however, it may be too late to treat and save the damaged joints.
Different types of surgical intervention are sometimes required to treat many cases of osteonecrosis:
* Core Decompression is a relatively simple procedure. This option is usually reserved for patients with fairly mild symptoms. This procedure involves the creation of a hole in the bone. The surgeon will remove a thick layer of the affected bone, increasing blood flow to the bone and reducing pressure.
* Bone Grafting is a common, yet complicated, procedure. To support the affected joints, healthy bone is removed and used to replace dead bone in the affected area. This grafting process is only used for patients experiencing the final stage of osteonecrosis. Post-surgical healing is promoted with the use of assistive devices for up to a year after surgery.
* Osteotomy: An osteotomy is performed by cutting the bone below the affected area. The doctor will turn the bone, causing the healthy bone to become the new weight-bearing area. This procedure is complicated and reserved for patients experiencing advanced osteonecrosis.
* Arthoplasty: More commonly known as total hip replacement, this surgery is an option when the entire hip socket has become diseased. Doctors remove the damaged hip and insert an artificial joint in place.
When an osteonecrosis diagnosis is made early enough, it may be possible to treat the disease without surgery. Doctors may choose to prescribe drug therapies in an attempt to keep the disease from progressing. Medications, when combined with exercise and assistive devices, can be used successfully in less advanced cases. Researchers are now working to produce new medications that help to promote the growth of new bone matter while increasing blood flow to the damaged joints.
Like most diseases, early detection is the key to successful treatment of osteonecrosis, however it is not easily diagnosed. If you feel that you may be experiencing the symptoms of osteonecrosis, ask your doctor to perform further tests. If diagnosed early enough, you may be able to treat the condition and relieve the symptoms without surgery. Rosamond Gaven