How many times have you heard of a patient who suffers with arthritis? The word "arthritis" is often used as a sort of umbrella term describing pain and stiffness in the joints. In reality, there are more than 100 different types of arthritis. Many of these, including osteonecrosis, can have an irreversible and debilitating effect on the body.

What is Osteonecrosis?

Osteonecrosis, a severe form of arthritis, causes the bone to lose its supply of blood. Affected bones and joints will actually disintegrate as the disease progresses, causing eventual death of the bone. It's a challenge for doctors to treat this condition in its early stages, because most patients don't even manifest symptoms until the disease has reached an advanced stage.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of osteonecrosis are sensations of pain and stiffness following a period of physical activity. Many patients who develop osteonecrosis in the hip will experience concentrated pain in the groin area. In the early stages of the disease, pain is evident only when the affected area is in use. As the disease becomes more advanced, pain is felt even while the joint is at rest.

Diagnosing Osteonecrosis

Doctors are able to make a positive diagnosis of osteonecrosis through the use of X-rays. However, X-rays are only able to reveal cases that have progressed beyond the initial stages. Some healthcare professionals will also use magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) to detect tissue damage. Some patients will require a CAT scan before a firm diagnosis can be made.

Treatments for Osteonecrosis

Treatment must be aggressive in order to stop the disintegration of bones and joints. Fortunately, early diagnosis can greatly increase the effectiveness of the treatment. If the disease in allowed to progress to advance stages without treatment, it can be too late to save or even treat the damaged joints.

Surgical intervention may be required to treat osteonecrosis. There are several types of surgical treatment options:

* Core Decompression: This relatively simple procedure is usually reserved for cases where the symptoms are still fairly mild. With this procedure, a hole is created to remove a thick layer of the affected bone. The result is increased blood flow to the bone and reduced pressure.

* Bone Grafting is a common, yet complicated, procedure. To support the affected joints, healthy bone is removed and used to replace dead bone in the affected area. This grafting process is only used for patients experiencing the final stage of osteonecrosis. Post-surgical healing is promoted with the use of assistive devices for up to a year after surgery.

* Osteotomy: Doctors perform an osteotomy by cutting the bone below the affected area. The bone is then turned, allowing the healthy part of the bone to become the new weight-bearing area. It is a complicated procedure and reserved for patients experiencing advanced osteonecrosis.

* Arthoplasty: More commonly known as total hip replacement, this surgery is an option when the entire hip socket has become diseased. Doctors remove the damaged hip and insert an artificial joint in place.

Non-surgical treatment is possible when an osteonecrosis diagnosis is made early enough. There are drug treatments available, allowing doctors to halt the progression of the disease. Less advanced cases with can be treated with medication in combination with assistive devices and exercise. Researchers are now working on medications that can promote the growth of new bone matter and increase blood flow to the damaged joints.

Osteonecrosis, like most diseases, is most successfully treated with early detection. The trouble is that osteonecrosis is not easily diagnosed. Learn more about osteonecrosis, and if you feel that you may be experiencing symptoms of osteonecrosis, ask your doctor to perform further investigations. When diagnosed early enough, you can work with your doctor to treat the condition and relieve the symptoms without surgery.