The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint, where the socket is part of the pelvis, and the ball is the top portion of the femur (thigh bone), known as the femoral head. Avascular necrosis occurs when the blood supply to the femoral head is disrupted, causing the bone tissue in this area to die.

The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint, where the socket is part of the pelvis, and the ball is the top portion of the femur (thigh bone), known as the femoral head. Avascular necrosis occurs when the blood supply to the femoral head is disrupted, causing the bone tissue in this area to die.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Common symptoms include groin pain and discomfort when walking. Diagnostic tools such as X-rays and MRI scans are crucial in detecting avascular necrosis.

Watch video of Core Decompression for Avascular Necrosis of the Hip

Treatment Options

• Non-Surgical Treatment: In the early stages, treatment may involve medications to prevent further bone loss. Surgery may also be performed to drill small holes into the femoral head to stimulate new blood flow. However, these treatments are not always successful.
• Surgical Treatment: In advanced stages, where the femoral head bone has died, patients experience severe hip pain and difficulty walking. A hip replacement surgery is often recommended in such cases and typically provides relief from pain and restores walking function.

Recovery and Post-Surgery Care

Patients who undergo hip replacement surgery generally experience significant improvement in mobility and a reduction in pain. Rehabilitation is essential to achieve a full recovery and return to daily activities.