Treatment:

If your health care provider knows the reason for osteonecrosis, part of the treatment will be aimed at the underlying condition. For example, if a blood clotting disorder is the reason, treatment will consist, in part, of clot-dissolving medicine.

If the condition is caught very early, you will take pain relievers and limit use of the affected area. This may include using crutches if your hip, knee, or ankle is affected. You may need to do range-of-motion exercises. Nonsurgical treatment can often slow the progression of osteonecrosis, but most people will need surgery.

Surgical options include:

• A bone graft
• A bone graft along with its blood supply (vascularized bone graft)
• Cutting the bone and changing its alignment to relieve stress on the bone or joint (osteotomy)
• Total joint replacement
• Removing part of the inside of the bone (core decompression) to relieve pressure and allow new blood vessels to form

Support Groups:

You can find more information and support resources at the following organizations:

• National Osteonecrosis Foundation -- www.nonf.org
• ON/AVN Support Group Int' l Association --http://osteonecrosisavnsupport.org
• The Arthritis Foundation -- www.arthritis.org
• Center for Osteonecrosis Research and Education (CORE) -- http://www.osteonecrosis.org

Expectations (prognosis):

How well you do depends on the following:

• The cause of the osteonecrosis
• Stage of the disease when it was diagnosed
• Amount of bone involved
• Your age and overall health

The outcome can vary from complete healing to permanent damage in the affected bone.

Complications:

Advanced osteonecrosis can lead to osteoarthritis and permanent decreased mobility. Severe cases may require joint replacement.

Calling your health care provider: