avascular necrosis anyone?

[anonymous]

Hi,

Both my hips have been hurting me with increasing pain over the past several months. When I talked to my doctor he thinks it might be avascular necorsis, which is more common in ppl who take long term steroids and ppl who have had transplants. I am waiting to get the x rays done, what I wanted to know is, has anyone here every had that? The treatment options all stink and require an operation if not hip replacement...

I am not positive that is what I have, just what the dr is trying to rule out.. All I know is my hips hurt like crazy and I walk like an old lady....I think it was excaberated by me walking across campus today.. Tonight I was barely able to walk up the stairs....

Thanks for any information,

Jennifer

 

[anonymous]

Hi Jennifer

I have got avascular necrosis in my knees (the ends of my femur bones, to be exact!) - caused by long term steroids. I complained of pains for several years before it was investigated. My left knee is the worst and it hurts quite often. As a result the muscles in my legs have worn away quite badly due to me being less able to exercise them. I have also noticed that my left leg bends out slightly at the knee (compared to the other one) and I think it does affect my walking.

As you say, there isn't much they can do except an operation/replacememt. I think if it's in the early stages they can drill holes into the joint so that blood vessels can develop there and supply more oxygen/blood to the joint. Mine is more developed and I would need a knee replacement. As I am only 18, they don't really want me to have a replacement knee because they generally only last 5-10 years. Seeing as I can still walk they are just going to see how I go for now.

What has caused your avascular necrosis? You say you are waiting for x-rays but I was told that it can only be seen on x-rays in the later stages - to catch it early you should have a CT scan.

Hope everything goes well for you.

Laura xxx