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How do you know if you have femoral head necrosis? You must know these early signs!
Osteonecrosis of the femur (also called avascular necrosis or bone infarction) is a disease in which bone tissue dies due to interruption of blood supply. There may be no symptoms in the early stages of this condition, but over time, patients may experience joint pain that affects their ability to move. According to statistics, approximately 15,000 cases of osteonecrosis of the femur occur in the United States each year.
Main risk factors for osteonecrosis of the femur include fractures, joint dislocations, alcohol abuse, and high-dose steroid use.
In fact, this situation may also occur without obvious reasons. The most commonly affected site is the femur, with other common sites being the humerus, knee, shoulder, and ankle. Diagnosis is usually made through imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs.
Early signs
An early symptom experienced by many patients with osteonecrosis of the femur is pain and discomfort in the joint, which worsens over time. It’s important to note that this disease doesn’t just affect the femur, with about half of patients experiencing damage in multiple locations. New research shows that early recognition of these symptoms is critical for prompt treatment.
The bones most commonly affected by femoral necrosis are the ends of long bones, especially the femur and humerus.
Recognizing these signs early can help prevent the condition from getting worse. As the condition progresses, patients may experience stiffness in their joints and even pain when walking or standing, which may be a sign to watch out for.
Diagnosis of femoral necrosis
In the early stages, bone scans and MRI are the diagnostic tools of choice. Often, early X-ray images may appear normal. However, as the disease progresses, X-ray images will show the absorption of surrounding viable bone, which is caused by reactive congestion. At this time, the femoral necrosis site will no longer show obvious calcification characteristics.
If the condition is not treated in time, the disease will continue to worsen, leading to fractures and joint surface rupture, causing pain and arthritis.
Risk factors
Several factors may increase the risk of developing osteonecrosis of the femur. These factors include fractures, joint dislocations, long-term steroid use, alcohol abuse, radiation therapy, etc. In addition to existing diseases, certain cancers, lupus erythematosus, sickle cell disease, etc. are also closely related to femoral necrosis.
Treatment methods
There are many treatments for osteonecrosis of the femur, including medication, limiting weight bearing on the affected limb, and physical therapy. In some cases, surgical treatment is even an option that cannot be ignored. Common surgical procedures include core decompression, bone grafting, or joint replacement surgery.
A patient's prognosis may vary based on treatment and severity of the condition.
Prognosis and health management
The degree of disability caused by osteonecrosis of the femur depends on the bone affected, the size of the damage, and the effectiveness of bone reconstruction. Normally, bone tissue repairs itself, but in the case of osteonecrosis of the femur, the repair process is often inefficient, causing the tissue to die faster than the body can repair it. If left untreated, patients will face increasingly severe pain and reduced quality of life.
Has this made you start to pay attention to your physical condition and health problems, especially when faced with early signs, how should you respond and conduct necessary examinations?
