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Osteonecrosis of the Hip

Hip Osteonecrosis Treatment in Kansas City, MO

What is Osteonecrosis of the Hip?

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Osteonecrosis of the hip is a painful condition that happens when the head of the femur (thighbone) doesn’t get enough blood. Because bone cells need a steady flow of blood to stay healthy, osteonecrosis can eventually cause the hip joint to break down and cause serious arthritis.

Osteonecrosis is also known as aseptic necrosis or avascular necrosis (AVN). Even though osteonecrosis can happen in any bone, it usually affects the hip. Every year, osteonecrosis of the hip sends more than 20,000 people to the hospital. A lot of the time, the sickness affects both hips.

What Causes Hip Osteonecrosis?

When the blood flow to the femoral head is cut off, osteonecrosis of the hip can happen. Without sufficient nutrients, the bone at the top of the leg slowly dies and falls apart. Because of this, the joint cartilage that covers the hip bones also breaks down, which can cause arthritis that makes it hard to move.

Osteonecrosis can happen to anyone, but people between the ages of 40 and 65 are more likely to get it, and men are more likely than women to suffer from this condition.

Hip Osteonecrosis Symptoms

Osteonecrosis gets worse over time. Usually, hip pain is the first sign. This could cause dull or sharp pain in the groin or buttocks. As the disease gets worse, it gets harder to stand and put weight on the hip that is hurt. It also hurts to move the hip joint.

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Conditions

Hip Surgery
Hip Disclocation
Hip Disease
Hip Fracture
Hip Impingement
Hip Labral Tear
Hip Osteoarthritis
Hip Osteoporosis
Hip Strain

Hip Osteonecrosis Treatment

Even though treatments that don’t involve surgery, like taking anti-inflammatory drugs, changing how you do things, or using crutches, can help reduce pain and slow the progression of the disease, surgery is the best way to treat it.

Patients who are diagnosed with osteonecrosis before the femoral head collapses may be good candidates for hip-preserving operations.

Osteonecrosis of the hip can be fixed in several ways through hip surgery.

  • Core decompression and grafting – This procedure includes drilling one large hole or several smaller holes into the femoral head to relieve pressure on the bone and make channels for new blood vessels to feed the damaged parts of the hip
  • Vascularized fibula graft – During this process, a piece of bone and its blood supply (an artery and a vein) are taken from the small bone in your leg. This graft is put into a hole made in the neck and head of the femur, and the artery and vein are reconnected to help heal the osteonecrosis
  • Total hip replacement – During this surgery, your doctor takes out the damaged bone and cartilage and replaces it with new metal or plastic joint surfaces. This helps restore the hip to its normal function

Hip Osteonecrosis Care in Kansas City

Contact Orthopedic Health of Kansas City to schedule an appointment with a hip and pelvic specialist at one of our many locations if you have any of the above symptoms. From simple physical therapy to complex surgery, we’ll get you back to doing what you love.