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What is Femoral Head Avascular Necrosis?
Avascular necrosis of the femoral head is a disorder that occurs when blood flow to the end of the hip bone is interrupted and causes symptoms such as hip pain and difficulty walking. This condition is also known as hip AVN, aseptic necrosis, or femoral head perfusion failure. Impairment of blood flow towards the femoral head causes the area to not receive adequate blood and nutrition, leading to the weakening of the bones under the cartilage. Over time, the cartilage begins to collapse and can cause the femoral head to lose its natural roundness and increase calcification. This may lead to arthritis in the hip joint, resulting in decreased hip mobility and pain. As the relationship between the femoral head and the pelvic socket deteriorates, symptoms of femoral head avascular necrosis may increase. As MSM Clinic, we take an expert approach for the early diagnosis and effective treatment of complex conditions such as femoral head avascular necrosis, we are here to protect the health of our patients and achieve the best results.
What are the Causes and Risk Factors of Femoral Head Avascular Necrosis?
Although there are a wide variety of causes and risk factors for avascular necrosis of the femoral head, sometimes the exact cause cannot be determined. Sometimes it can be seen even in patients who do not have circulatory disorders and whose other risk factors are negative. This indicates that avascular necrosis of the femoral head is a complex condition that is not fully understood.
It is important to have regular health checks for a healthy and quality life. These check-ups can help diagnose serious health problems, such as avascular necrosis of the femoral head, early and initiate appropriate treatment.
The causes and risk factors for avascular necrosis of the femoral head can be diverse:
- Reduced Blood Flow: Reduced or interrupted blood flow to the femoral head is the most common cause of avascular necrosis. This condition prevents the nutrition of the bone tissue in the femoral head and may lead to necrosis.
- Trauma or Injury: Trauma or injuries to the hip area can affect blood flow in the femoral head and lead to avascular necrosis.
- Steroid Use: Using steroid medications for a long time and in high doses can negatively affect the health of bones and increase the risk of avascular necrosis.
- Alcohol Use: Excessive alcohol consumption can narrow blood vessels and reduce blood flow, increasing the risk of avascular necrosis of the femoral head.
- Tobacco Products: Smoking can narrow blood vessels and reduce blood flow, increasing the risk of avascular necrosis.
- Chemotherapy or Radiotherapy: Some chemotherapy drugs or radiotherapy used for cancer treatment may cause damage to bone tissue and increase the risk of avascular necrosis.
- Obesity: Being overweight can increase the risk of avascular necrosis of the femoral head by placing extra stress on the hip joint.
- Some Diseases: Some diseases such as lupus, leukemia, diabetes may also increase the risk of avascular necrosis.
At MSM Clinic, we take an expert approach to understand the causes and risk factors of femoral head avascular necrosis and provide our patients with the most appropriate treatment.
Stages of Femoral Head Avascular Necrosis Disease
Femoral head avascular necrosis generally has four stages:
Early Stage (Stage I): In this stage, blood circulation in the femoral head may be reduced or interrupted, but the bone structure is still intact. Typically, changes are not observed on radiographs or imaging tests, but can be detected with more sensitive imaging techniques such as MRI.
Middle Stage (Stage II): In this stage, blood circulation in the femoral head is further impaired and slight collapse (small fractures) or splits in the bone may occur. Changes in bone may be noticed on x-rays or other imaging tests.
Delayed Stage (Stage III): In this stage, blood circulation in the femoral head worsens and significant collapse of the bone occurs. Bone collapse becomes more evident and pain may intensify.
Advanced Stage (Stage IV): In this stage, the femoral head may show deformity as a result of collapse and calcification may develop in the joint. At this stage, serious pain, limited hip movements and other complications may occur.
The stages of femoral head avascular necrosis are important for understanding disease progression and treatment options. The treatment plan is determined based on the patient’s symptoms, stage and general health condition. The goals of treatment are to reduce pain, improve mobility, and prevent or minimize bone damage.
What is the Diagnosis and Treatment Process of Femoral Head Avascular Necrosis?
Diagnosis and treatment of femoral head avascular necrosis usually includes these steps:
Diagnosis:
- Physical Examination: The doctor evaluates the patient’s symptoms and medical history. Hip mobility, tenderness, and other symptoms are examined.
- Imaging Tests: Imaging tests such as x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computed tomography (CT) are used to evaluate changes in the femoral head.
- Blood Tests: Blood tests may be done to determine the underlying causes of avascular necrosis. In particular, it is checked for signs of infection or inflammation.
Treatment:
- Conservative Treatment: In the early stages, conservative treatment methods may be preferred to reduce pain and prevent bone damage. These treatments may include rest, weight bearing, physical therapy, painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications. It is in the form of stem cell application in suitable patients.
- Surgical Treatment: Surgical intervention may be required in advanced stages or in cases that do not respond to conservative treatments. Surgical options may include femoral head reshaping, bone graft placement, or hip joint prosthesis implantation.
- Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation: After surgical or conservative treatment, physical therapy and rehabilitation programs are important to increase muscle strength, improve mobility, and enable the patient to return to activities of daily living.
- Follow-up and Control: It is important to follow the patient regularly and monitor bone health with imaging tests. This is necessary to monitor the progression of the disease and adjust the treatment plan if necessary.
At MSM Clinic, we have extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head. We take an individual approach for each patient and offer the most appropriate treatment options, thus protecting their health and ensuring they achieve the best results.
