Osteonecrosis of the Hip
When the blood supply to the bone is disrupted, a painful condition called osteonecrosis of the hip develops. Without adequate nourishment to the bone, osteonecrosis can ultimately lead to destruction of the hip joint and arthritis. Although it can occur in any bone, the condition most often affects the hip. More than 20,000 people each year enter hospitals for treatment of osteonecrosis of the hip.
Symptoms:
Osteonecrosis develops in stages. Typical symptoms include:
- Hip pain, including a dull ache or throbbing pain in the groin or buttock area
- Difficulty standing and weight bearing
Treatment:
Although nonsurgical treatment options like medications or crutches can relieve pain and slow the progression of the disease, the most successful treatments tend to be surgical. Patients are good candidates for hip preserving procedures when their osteonecrosis is caught in the very early stages (prior to femoral head collapse). Total hip replacement is typically very successful in relieving pain and restoring function for patients.
