Avascular necrosis
Avascular necrosis means the death (necrosis means death) of bone due to blockage of the blood vessels supplying oxygenated blood (avascular means without vessels). This most commonly affects the hip joint, and results in collapse of the head of the femur, the bone between the knee and the pelvis, though other bones may be similarly affected. While a common cause is trauma, when the blood vessels are torn as a result of a fracture, it may also occur in association with other joint diseases, as part of some congenital disorders or in association with a more generalised diseases are such as thalassaemia or infective endocarditis (see heart and blood vessels in the chest cavity section) or alcoholism. The management is aimed at relieving the symptoms using rest and painkillers, replacing a dead joint if appropriate, and treating any underlying cause.
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