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Arthritis & Joint Conditions

Guide To Avascular Necrosis (Osteonecrosis)

By , About.com Guide

Updated May 26, 2006

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6 of 8

Part 6 of 8 - What Conservative Treatments Are Used For Avascular Necrosis?

Conservative Treatments

Conservative treatments for avascular necrosis include:

Medications

Drugs to reduce fatty substances (lipids) that increase with corticosteroid treatment or to reduce blood clotting in the presence of clotting disorders. NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) may also be prescribed to reduce pain.

Reduced Weight Bearing

If avascular necrosis is diagnosed early, the doctor may begin treatment by having the patient remove weight from the affected joint. The doctor may recommend limiting activities or using crutches. In some cases, reduced weight bearing can slow the damage caused by avascular necrosis and permit natural healing. When combined with medication to reduce pain, reduced weight bearing can be an effective way to avoid or delay surgery for some patients.

Range-of-motion Exercises

Range-of-motion exercises may be prescribed to maintain or improve joint range of motion.

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    • Electrical Stimulation

    Electrical stimulation is used to induce bone growth.

    Most Avascular Necrosis Patients May Eventually Need Surgery

    As stated before, conservative treatments have been used experimentally alone or in combination. However, these treatments rarely provide lasting improvement. Therefore, most avascular necrosis patients will eventually need surgery to repair the joint permanently.

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