Osteonecrosis

Osteonecrosis is a disease caused by reduced blood flow to bones in the joints. In people with healthy bones, new bone is always replacing old bone. In osteonecrosis, the lack of blood causes the bone to break down faster than the body can make enough new bone. The bone starts to die and may break down.

You can have osteonecrosis in one or several bones. It is most common in the upper leg. Other common sites are your upper arm and your knees, shoulders and ankles. The disease can affect men and women of any age, but it usually strikes in your fifties.

Osteonecrosis does not always cause symptoms, especially when it first develops. As the disease gets worse, you may feel pain when you put your weight on a joint that is affected by osteonecrosis. Over time, you may feel pain in the joint even when you are resting.  Pain caused by osteonecrosis may be mild or severe. If it causes your bone and joint to collapse, you may have severe pain and not be able to use the joint. For instance, if you have osteonecrosis in the hip, you may not be able to walk.