What are the consequences of avascular necrosis of the femoral head?

What are the consequences of avascular necrosis of the femoral head?

Legg-Calve-Perthes is idiopathic avascular necrosis of the femoral head that affects pediatric populations. Lack of blood supply causes necrosis of the femoral head leading to a deformity that puts the patient at high risk of developing osteoarthritis and/or losing range of motion (ROM).

What does avascular necrosis pain feel like?

Symptoms may include: Minimal early joint pain. Increased joint pain as bone and joint begin to collapse. Limited range of motion due to pain.

How is avascular necrosis of the femoral head treated?

In early stages of AVN (precollapse), core decompression with or without bone graft is typically considered the most appropriate treatment. In late stages, characterized by collapse, femoral head deformity, and secondary osteoarthritis, total hip arthroplasty is the most appropriate treatment.

Why is the femoral head prone to avascular necrosis?

Avascular necrosis of the femoral head has often been described as a multifactorial disease. It is associated in some cases with a genetic predilection as well as an exposure to certain risk factors. The most common risk factors are corticosteroid intake, alcohol use, smoking, and various chronic diseases.

How painful is AVN of the hip?

As the condition worsens, your affected joint might hurt only when you put weight on it. Eventually, you might feel the pain even when you’re lying down. Pain can be mild or severe and usually develops gradually. Pain associated with avascular necrosis of the hip might center on the groin, thigh or buttock.

What is osteonecrosis of the femoral head?

Femoral head osteonecrosis is a condition caused by a compromise of the blood supply of the femoral head. The precarious blood supply of the head and its role as a major weight-bearing joint makes it one of the most common bones to be affected by osteonecrosis.

What happens when the femoral head collapse?

Osteonecrosis of the hip develops when the blood supply to the femoral head is disrupted. Without adequate nourishment, the bone in the head of the femur dies and gradually collapses. As a result, the articular cartilage covering the hip bones also collapses, leading to disabling arthritis.

Can AVN continue to happen in an already replaced joint replacement?

Can AVN continue to happen in an already replaced joint replacement? No, obviously avascular necrosis cannot happen in a joint replacement because the part of the bone that is necrosed is removed and is replaced with a prosthetic device.

What happens to the femur during hip replacement?

During hip replacement surgery the head of the femur is removed, along with the socket. The entire part of the bone that has become necrotic due to lack of blood supply is removed, and therefore total hip replacement is the final cure for avascular necrosis.

What is the crescent sign on X-ray of femoral head?

On X-ray there is a density change in the femoral head like sclerosis or cysts. In Stage IIA and IIB, the Xray appearance of the femoral head is characterized by flattening. We call it the “Crescent sign”. The bone scan shows increased uptake in Stage II and a biopsy shows new bone deposited between necrotic layer of the bone.

What are the stages of femoral head osteoarthritis?

In Stage IIA and IIB, the Xray appearance of the femoral head is characterized by flattening. We call it the “Crescent sign”. The bone scan shows increased uptake in Stage II and a biopsy shows new bone deposited between necrotic layer of the bone. In Stage III, the symptoms are mild to moderate. The x-rays show loss of sphericity and collapse.