Avascular necrosis is the death of bone tissue due to a loss of blood supply, which can ultimately lead to bone collapse. Causes include trauma, excessive alcohol consumption, long-term steroid use, and conditions like sickle cell anemia, with symptoms ranging from joint pain to limited range of motion. Risk factors include alcoholism, diabetes, and osteoarthritis, with the femoral head being the most commonly affected bone.

1. Be Confident…!!!!
Avascular Necrosis
Avascularnecrosisisa necrosisthatoccurs whenthere islossof bloodtothe bone.Asbone isa living
tissue itrequiresbloodtosurvive.Anyinterruptiontothe bloodsupplycausesbonetodie.If not
stoppedthisprocesseventuallycausesthe bone tocollapse.Avascularnecrosisisalsocalled
osteronecrosis,asepticnecrosis,andischemicbone necrosisorbone infarction.
Causesof Avascular Necrosis:
1. Trauma – Traumatic injurydue todislocationof the jointthatcausesthe lossof bloodsupplyto
that area of the bone and leadstobone death.
2. Alcohol – People whodrinkalcohol inexcesscandevelopfattysubstancesthatmayblockblood
vesselscausing adecreasedbloodsupplytothe bones.
3. Steroids– Long termof use of oral or intravenousCorticoSteroidsisassociatedwithnon-
traumativavascularnecrosis.
4. Caisson’sDisease:Nitrogenbubblesreleasedoutof solutionfromcellsandcausingembolism -
"The Bends”that causesgreat pressure insidethe bone.
5. Sickle Cell Anemia: Intravascularsicklingof RBCinthe micro - circulationof the bone resultsin
intramedullarysludging,thrombosis,destructionof the vesselwalls, edema,andprogressive
ischemiawhichcausesgreatpressure inside the bone anddoesnotallow the freshbloodto
enter.
6. Idiopathic– 30%
7. Endocrine/metabolic–Cushing’sdisease
Occurrence:
Avascular necrosis occurs in FATTY
MARROW which contains a Sparse
Vascular Supply.

2. Be Confident…!!!!
Symptoms:
1. No symptomsinearlystages
2. Later stage symptomsinclude:
 Painin jointthat may increase overtime andwill becomeverysevere if the bone
collapses
 Painthat occurs evenatrest
 Limitedrange of motion
 Groin Pain
 Limping
Risk Factors:
1. Alcoholism
2. Pancreatitis
3. Diabetes
4. Gout
5. Osteoarthriris
6. Osteoprosis
7. HIV infection
Common BonesProne To Be Necrosed:
1. Femoral Head – Most common
2. Shoulder–Humeral Head
3. Neck- Odontoid
4. Wrist – Scaphoid,Lunate
5. Ankle –Talus
References:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/avascular-necrosis/basics/definition/con-20025517
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/avascular-necrosis/basics/causes/con-20025517
“Beauty May Be Skin Deep But Fit Is To the Bone”