Avascular Necrosis Flashcards
1
Q
What is avascular necrosis?
A
Ischaemic necrosis of bone predominantly in adults
2
Q
Where is prone to AVN?
A
Femoral head Femoral condyles Head of humerus Capitellum Proximal pole of scaphoid Proximal part of tallus
3
Q
What is AVN sometimes secondary to?
A
Femoral neck
Proximal humerus
Waist of scaphoid and talar neck
4
Q
What can AVN sometimes be due to?
A
- Alcoholism
- Steroid abuse
- Primary hyperlipidaemia
- Thrombophilia
- Sickle cell disease
- Antiphospholipid deficiency in SLE
- Caisson’s disease/decompression sickness (deep sea diving)
5
Q
Consequence of AVN?
A
- Necrosis of a segment of bone
- Patchy sclerosis
- Subchondral collapse
- Irregularity of he articular surface
- Secondary osteoarthritis
6
Q
What can AVN lead to?
A
Secondary OA
7
Q
Early treatment of AVN?
A
Can be seen on MRI
-If the articular surface is not collapsed & is in an amenable site, drilling under fluoroscopy to decompress the bone, prevent further necrosis and help healing
8
Q
How to treat AVN if the articular surface is collapsed?
A
Joint replacement
