Aseptic necrosis

Not all diseases are easily diagnosed, and aseptic necrosis of bone is among them. It is possible to detect this serious disease with the help of radiography only if there is a significant destruction of bone tissue or displacement. Otherwise, it is necessary to carry out tomography and rely on other, minor, symptoms. Let's discuss in detail how the aseptic necrosis of different parts of the bone differs, and how the disease develops.

Causes of aseptic necrosis

Most often necrosis, that is, the withering away of bones and joints, is due to the fact that their blood supply worsens. The reasons can be as follows:

• injury;
• microtrauma (permanent mechanical movement of the joint as a result of a certain type of activity, which is of a regular nature);
• diabetes;
• hormonal failures ;
• long-term treatment with corticosteroids and other hormonal drugs;
• sickle-cell anemia;
• pancreatitis;
• exposure to ionizing radiation;
• abuse of alcohol and drugs.

If the disease is diagnosed at an early stage, there is a possibility of completely solving the problem by conservative methods, or surgically. The triggered necrosis is irreversible.

Aseptic necrosis of the hip joint

This disorder is caused by a worsening of blood flow to the upper part of the hip bone, that is, aseptic necrosis of the femoral head causes destruction of the cartilaginous tissue of the joint around it. As a result, a person experiences severe pain and difficulty in moving. Most often this is due to dislocation of the hip joint, or fracture of the neck of the hip .

Decompression of the hip bone is a surgical operation that helps improve the blood supply of the joint and triggers the regeneration process. The surgeon removes the damaged area by drilling. In the early stages of the disease, the procedure is effective in 80% of cases, which avoids hip replacement. Osteotomy is often performed to alleviate stress. Aseptic necrosis of the femur is the most common, but other joints are also susceptible to the disease.

Aseptic necrosis of the knee joint and other areas of the disease

The lower part of the femur ends with the knee joint, which can also undergo necrosis. Most often, tissues of the internal, or external condyle begin to die off. The reason lies in the high load on this area, or trauma, so the first thing that must be provided to the patient is a state of rest. The same requirements are advanced to those who develop aseptic necrosis of the head of the humerus - moving the hand and lifting the goods is strictly prohibited. Necrosis of these areas is difficult to recognize in the early stages, since it almost does not cause uncomfortable sensations. This is the main danger.

Aseptic necrosis of the talus is not less common. The situation is complicated by the fact that this area is practically not blood supply even in a healthy person, so a tiny fracture or crack becomes the cause of necrosis. Conservative treatment in this case is ineffective. As long as the disease is at an early stage, supportive agents can be used, in the long run the only way out is to replace the ankle joint, or arthrodesis (fastening two bones at the site of the remote joint). This will allow the patient to be able to move independently and live a practically full life. The earlier the necrosis is diagnosed, the greater the chance that it will be managed before the extensive bone site is destroyed.