Hip Osteonecrosis : Causes

Posted by thebrownwriter on December 27th, 2019

Bone marrow and bones need proper blood supply as they are made of living cells. In case the blood flow decreases the cell will die which can make the bone collapse. This is known as osteonecrosis. In this guide, we are going to tell you the different causes of hip osteonecrosis.

Hip Osteonecrosis is a painful problem that occurs when the blood flow to the thigh bone is affected and also called “avascular necrosis”. For the bone cells to stay healthy blood supply is needed. This problem can lead to the destruction of the hip joint and it can also trigger arthritis issues. Damage to bone cells is going to affect the bone strength and bone can get collapsed. In some cases, the patient needs to get a hip replacement when the problem increases.

Causes of Hip Osteonecrosis

Well, the exact reason for this condition is not known. When this problem occurs the joint surface and bone can get collapsed. Moreover, the cartilage will also lose its support. When the cartilage loses the support from the bone underneath, the joint surface will be worn away and the condition of arthritis will progress. Patients who face this problem are often using steroid or they drink a lot.

Most common causes are:

• Blood supply to bone is affected which leads to serious trauma (injury)
• Corticosteroid medications like cortisone, prednisone, or methylprednisolone.
• Excessive consumption of alcohol.
• Systemic lupus erythematosus

Less common risk factors:

• Decompression disease is known as “Bends” when a person do scuba diving
• Blood disorders like sickle cell anemia, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, and lupus anticoagulant.
• Radiation therapy
• HIV infection
• Organ transplants
• Bisphosphonates which is linked to jaw osteonecrosis

The people between the age of 40 to 45 get affected. In most cases, men develop this condition more as compared to women. If you are facing the issue then talk to the ortho doctor and they will give you a reliable treatment plan.

Symptoms

With this problem, the warning signs are very less. Mostly the issue starts with hip pain and difficulty in walking.

• Extreme pain in the groin
• Pain while moving the hip
• Difficult to walk

The 2 most important test which will help to diagnose the problem and then a treatment plan is made accordingly.

• X-rays are very helpful as they will help to show the damage to the hip joint. The early signs will not show up on this as it will show the later stages.
• MRI will help to detect the early signs.

By the time if the condition is prominent on the X-ray the patient needs to undergo surgical treatment to solve the problem in the right way.

Treatment

Treating this condition is important at the right time. If the person is facing problems at an early stage then anti-inflammatory medications and crutches can be very helpful.

Surgical option

Hip decompression helps in relieving increased pressure within the femoral head which is affecting the normal blood flow. The patient is asleep when the procedure is going on in the operating room. In the area of hip osteonecrosis, small holes are drilled to relieve the pressure from the femoral head.

The bone graft is another option in which healthy bone is moved from the lower leg and then placed on the problematic area. With this procedure, the affected area will get the normal blood supply.