Of the more than 100 different types of arthritis, osteonecrosis is among the most devastating. "Arthritis" is often used as a simple classification to describe pain and stiffness in the joints. The many forms of arthritis, including osteonecrosis, can have irreversible and debilitating effects on the body.
What Makes 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.
Osteonecrosis Signs and 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?
X-rays may be used to diagnose osteonecrosis, but only when the disease has progressed beyond the initial stages. Another way of detecting tissue damage is with the use of an MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging machine. Doctors may need to use a CAT scan to make a firm diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatment must be aggressive in order to stop the disintegration of bones and joints. Fortunately, early diagnosis can greatly increase the effectiveness of the treatment. If the disease in allowed to progress to advance stages without treatment, it can be too late to save or even treat the damaged joints.
Surgical intervention may be required to treat osteonecrosis. There are several types of surgical treatment options:
* Core Decompression: This is a relatively simple procedure best reserved for cases where the symptoms are still fairly mild. The procedure consists of creating a hole to remove a thick layer of the affected bone. This helps increase blood flow to the bone, and reduces 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 is performed by cutting the bone below the affected area. The surgeon will turn the bone, allowing the healthy bone to become the new weight-bearing area. It's a complicated procedure, usually reserved for patients experiencing advanced osteonecrosis.
* Arthoplasty: Also known as a total hip replacement, this surgery is only used when the entire hip socket has become diseased. The damaged hip is removed, and an artificial joint is inserted in place.
Non-surgical treatment is possible when an osteonecrosis diagnosis is made early enough. There are drug treatments available, allowing doctors to halt the progression of the disease. Less advanced cases with can be treated with medication in combination with assistive devices and exercise. Researchers are now working on medications that can promote the growth of new bone matter and increase blood flow to the damaged joints.
Like most diseases, early detection is the key to successful treatment. However, osteonecrosis is not easily diagnosed. If you feel that you may be experiencing the symptoms of osteonecrosis, ask your doctor to perform further investigations. If diagnosed early enough, you and your doctor can work together to treat the condition and relieve the symptoms without surgery.
