Why is the head of the femur prone to avascular necrosis?

Why is the head of the femur prone to avascular necrosis?

Avascular necrosis of the femoral head is a type of osteonecrosis due to disruption of blood supply to the proximal femur. There are approximately 10000 to 20000 new cases reported each year in the United States alone. It can occur due to a variety of causes, either traumatic or atraumatic in origin.

What causes avascular necrosis of bone?

Avascular necrosis is a disease that results from the temporary or permanent loss of blood supply to the bone. It happens most commonly in the ends of a long bone. Avascular necrosis may be the result of injury, use of medicines, or alcohol. Symptoms may include joint pain and limited range of motion.

What is best treatment for avascular necrosis of bone?

Several surgical procedures have been used in an attempt to treat AVN, with variable success. No surgical procedure is the consensual best among surgeons in the treatment of AVN. In early stages of AVN (precollapse), core decompression with or without bone graft is typically considered the most appropriate treatment.

What happens if you don’t treat avascular necrosis?

Untreated, avascular necrosis worsens with time. Eventually, the bone can collapse. Avascular necrosis also causes bone to lose its smooth shape, potentially leading to severe arthritis.

Do you need surgery for avascular necrosis?

Surgical and other procedures Because most people don’t develop symptoms until avascular necrosis is fairly advanced, your doctor might recommend surgery. The options include: Core decompression. The surgeon removes part of the inner layer of your bone.

Is AVN of the hip painful?

Osteonecrosis of the hip is a painful condition that occurs when the blood supply to the head of the femur (thighbone) is disrupted. Because bone cells need a steady supply of blood to stay healthy, osteonecrosis can ultimately lead to destruction of the hip joint and severe arthritis.

What is avascular necrosis of the femoral head?

Femoral Head Avascular Necrosis – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf Avascular necrosis of the femoral head is a type of osteonecrosis due to disruption of blood supply to the proximal femur. There are approximately 10000 to 20000 new cases reported each year in the United States alone.[1] 

What is the most common cause of avascular necrosis?

One of the most common traumatic causes is femoral neck fracture or dislocation of the femoral head from acetabulum. When these types of trauma occur, the blood supply to the head of the femur can be easily disrupted, leading to avascular necrosis.

What is the incidence of avascular necrosis after internal fixation?

One of the main complications after internal fixation of a femoral neck fracture is avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head [5]. The overall incidence of AVN of the femoral head after internal fixation of a femoral neck fracture is 15–25 % [6–9].

What is the pathophysiology of femoral neck fractures?

Femoral neck fractures: pathogenesis of avascular necrosis, nonunion and late degenerative changes. Clin Orthop. 1961;20:247–65.