Does anyone know anything about this condition? I have had four months of severe pain in my hip and finally got to see the orthopedist today, after 10 weeks of physical therapy that didn't help at all. I have to go for an MRI to confirm, but the doc is fairly certain that I have Avascular Necrosis. He said it is quite common among those who have been on long courses of corticosteroids (and I was - for HG). Basically the blood supply to the bones is inhibited and the bones "die". Bones can repair/regenerate themselves, but without good blood supply, they can't regenerate fast enough and so it gets worse and worse.
Treatment options are minimal - pain relief and eventually a hip replacement - but I don't want to live like this!
Any thoughts, info - I'd love to hear them
Alison
Laura 10/25/96
Erin 3/17/04