What is Avascular Necrosis of the Hip? Causes and Treatments

Avascular necrosis is a bone disorder where the blood supply to a bone is disrupted, leading to death of the bone tissue. This disease can occur anywhere near the joint, such as the ankle, elbow, shoulder, and jaw, but it is most commonly found in the hip joint. This condition affects people aged 30-65. AVN of the hip can cause pain around the hip joint and restrict everyday movements. If not treated, the hip joint can collapse in months or years. In such a case, hip joint replacement can be a big saviour. Through this blog, we will understand the causes and explore the treatments of avascular necrosis.

What Exactly is Avascular Necrosis?

A Bone is a living tissue made up of various minerals, cells and proteins. Bones are responsible for the production of blood and contain a dense network of nerves inside them. This makes the bones a crucial aspect of the human body. To stay healthy, bones require a continuous supply of oxygen, nutrients, and minerals. When any of these components are discontinued, the bone gets weaker with time. In AVN, the blood supply to a specific bone is halted due to nerve damage or other reasons. This results in on set of bone tissue death, also known as osteonecrosis. In doubt about this condition? Consult Dr Uday Meghnathi, one of the best hip replacement surgeon in Vadodara. He is an expert orthopedic doctor with rich experience in treating muscle and bone-related disorders. His facility is completely equipped with advanced treatment options aided by the latest technologies. Call us to book an appointment.

Avascular Necrosis in the Hip

The anatomy of the hip is like a ball and socket. The AVN heavily affects the socket of the hip, known as the acetabulum. Therefore, when the rounded head of the femur moves inside the socket, it causes immense pain. As the AVN progresses, it affects the femoral head and blocks the supply of blood to the rotating head of the femur. It will over time, lose its round shape and will not rotate smoothly. This also leads to osteoarthritis.

Causes of Avascular Necrosis of the Hip

The two types of avascular necrosis of the hip are traumatic and non-traumatic hip AVN. There are several causes behind the occurrence of these diseases. Risks include:

• Smoking
• Sickle cell disease
• Gaucher disease
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Decompression sickness
• HIV infection, etc.

Treatment of Avascular Necrosis of the Hip

• There are two methods of treatment: surgical and non-surgical.
• Non-surgical methods include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
• The use of crutches, canes and walkers.
• Rest and physiotherapy are also recommended for faster recovery.

Bone grafting, osteotomy, core decompression and total hip replacement are also some of the most advanced treatments. When talking about advanced treatment, ensure you consult an expert avascular necrosis treatment doctor in Vadodara. The doctor must be certified and have a fully-equipped treatment facility for efficient treatment.

Need Medical Help with Hip Joint Issues?

To completely treat or manage hip joint issues, you need to consult an expert doctor, such as Dr Uday Meghnathi, a prominent orthopedic doctor in Nizampura Vadodara. He has a deep experience in treating people with joint issues across the body. He provides the most accurate and affordable solutions to all muscle and skeletal issues. Services like fracture management, joint replacements, pediatric orthopedics and sports injury are provided by him at reasonable costs. Call us to book an appointment.

Also Read: Conditions Treated with Hip Arthroscopy