“My mother is diagnosed with osteonecrosis. Is there a treatment for this condition?”
My mother is 78 years old and has been diagnosed with osteonecrosis. Is there a treatment for this condition?
12 Answers
Yes usually surgery depending upon where it is. If it’s the hip she will need a hip replacement.
Osteonecrosis can occur in many locations such as a knee or hip or your knee joint. There are many forms of treatment available which are helpful. Consult an orthopedic specialist.
Osteonecrosis is a lack of blood flow to the bones/joints & makes the bones more susceptible to fractures, etc. Your body can repair itself with time and heal the destroyed bone. Also, steroids and alcohol can slow the healing.
Early diagnoses can be treated with medications. If the disease has caused severe damage, surgeons who specialize in joint-preserving and joint-replacement surgeries can perform procedures designed to improve mobility and relieve pain.
I however, do not perform these surgeries; I specialize in spine conditions and surgery. I would reach out to an extremity (hip, knee, shoulder, etc.) orthopedic specialist or general orthopedic doctor first, and go from there.
Best wishes,
Kendall Call, MD
Early diagnoses can be treated with medications. If the disease has caused severe damage, surgeons who specialize in joint-preserving and joint-replacement surgeries can perform procedures designed to improve mobility and relieve pain.
I however, do not perform these surgeries; I specialize in spine conditions and surgery. I would reach out to an extremity (hip, knee, shoulder, etc.) orthopedic specialist or general orthopedic doctor first, and go from there.
Best wishes,
Kendall Call, MD
Depends on the location. Surgery may be a requirement.
It depends on the joint: if it is the hip, it can be replaced; if it is a small area in the knee, it may be tolerable, but replacement may also be needed.
The treatment of osteonecrosis depends on where it is, how progressed, and how symptomatic it is. For painful but normal shape areas of osteonecrosis, sometimes a minor drilling procedure can stop the pain and help the bone spring back to life. In a 78 year old, it might well be part of arthritis, and a joint replacement might be the best option. How painful and how disabled the patient is are the key questions.
Osteonecrosis (also called avascular necrosis) of what bone or joint? Because it means cell death, the structure that has this condition will lose its ability to bear weight or function properly. When the hip is involved affecting the ball portion of the upper femur, the joint will deteriorate and because of the pain and disability, a hip replacement or resurfacing procedure is usually done.
Dr. Mudano
Dr. Mudano
It depends on where it is. If it is in the hip then a total hip replacement might be needed.
Thanks,
Ron LaButti
Thanks,
Ron LaButti
Thank you for the question.
Osteonecrosis implies a segment of dead bone within a bone. Though not specified, the most common bone affected is the femoral head or ball of the hip joint. Sometimes the cause is trauma, other causes include the use of steroids or prednisone. Sometimes osteonecrosis occurs in an arthritic hip. There are other causes, too, such as rare blood diseases, and even alcohol abuse. If the hip is the affected bone, for someone your mother’s age, the “cure” is a hip replacement. Of course, prior to considering surgery, patients should use mild
analgesics such as Tylenol and/or Advil. We encourage the use of a cane or walker for safety.
Osteonecrosis implies a segment of dead bone within a bone. Though not specified, the most common bone affected is the femoral head or ball of the hip joint. Sometimes the cause is trauma, other causes include the use of steroids or prednisone. Sometimes osteonecrosis occurs in an arthritic hip. There are other causes, too, such as rare blood diseases, and even alcohol abuse. If the hip is the affected bone, for someone your mother’s age, the “cure” is a hip replacement. Of course, prior to considering surgery, patients should use mild
analgesics such as Tylenol and/or Advil. We encourage the use of a cane or walker for safety.
IF its osteonecrosis of the hips, then surgery, usually a hip replacement is needed.
It depends on the location of the osteonecrosis. If it is in a location such as the hip joint then a hip replacement may be the solution, however, it is different if it is involving a bone in the hand, such as something called Kienbock’s disease, or some other area of the body. If a surgery is not wanted or needed for the osteonecrosis there are some medical interventions that can sometimes help with the pain and can be discussed with your Orthopedic Surgeon or primary care provider.
Nabil A Ebraheim
Orthopedist
Yes, see a physician for proper treatment.
