Authors :
Badhra Ajit Nair; Hamlin Joseph Antony; Manjima Sunil; Emil Siju Kuriakose
Volume/Issue :
Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 2 - February
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/3ajssf8v
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/9u9hs2cf
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26feb527
Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.
Abstract :
Avascular necrosis (AVN) is a progressive bone disorder caused by disruption of blood supply, leading to bone
necrosis, structural collapse, and joint dysfunction. Early diagnosis and timely intervention are essential to prevent
irreversible disability. We report the case of a 35-year-old Indian male who presented with severe left hip pain significantly
affecting daily activities. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed bilateral AVN, with Grade IV involvement of the left hip
and Grade II–III involvement of the right hip. Conservative management failed to provide symptomatic relief, necessitating
surgical intervention in the form of total left hip replacement and right hip core decompression. Postoperatively, the patient
demonstrated clinical improvement, with pain scores on the Visual Analog Scale reducing from 8/10 to 6/10, hip flexion
improving from 90° to 120°, and muscle strength increasing from grade 3/5 to 4/5. AVN is commonly associated with trauma,
corticosteroid use, and systemic conditions and progresses from ischemia to joint degeneration if untreated. This case
emphasizes the importance of early MRI-based diagnosis and individualized treatment strategies, as advanced AVN often
requires surgical management to improve pain, mobility, and overall quality of life.
Keywords :
Avascular Necrosis; Femoral Head; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Total Hip Replacement; Core Decompression; Hip Pain; Osteonecrosis.
References :
- Mont MA, Hungerford DS. Avascular necrosis of the hip: mechanisms of disease and management. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1995;77(6):877-888. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/jbjsjournal/Abstract/1995/77060/Avascular_Necrosis_of_the_Hip__Mechanisms_of.1.aspx.
- Steinberg ME, Heller S. Avascular necrosis of the femoral head: a review of current concepts. Orthop Clin North Am. 2000;31(4):673-688. Available from: https://www.orthopedic.theclinics.com/article/S0030-5898(05)00012-8/fulltext.
- Mayo Clinic. Avascular necrosis: symptoms and causes. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/avascular-necrosis/symptoms-causes/syc.
- Ficat RP, Arlet J. Ischemia and Necrosis of Bone. Springer Science & Business Media; 1980.
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Osteonecrosis. Available from: https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/osteonecrosis.
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. Osteonecrosis. In: StatPearls. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546658/.
- Arlet J, Ficat RP. Pathogenesis of nontraumatic osteonecrosis. SpringerLink. Available from: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4613-8628-5_1.
- ResearchGate. The pathogenesis of nontraumatic osteonecrosis. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233931904_The_Pathogenesis_of_Nontraumatic_Osteonecrosis.
- National Library of Medicine. Pathogenesis of osteonecrosis. PMC. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3518945/.
- National Library of Medicine. Osteonecrosis review. PubMed. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30850073/.
- National Library of Medicine. Osteonecrosis treatment advancements. PubMed. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32800435/.
- National Library of Medicine. Corticosteroid-induced osteonecrosis. PubMed. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12690862/.
- Moon RE. “Dysbaric osteonecrosis in divers and compressed-air workers.” Undersea Hyperb Med. 2014;41(6):579-590.
- Carten ML, Kopp JB. “Avascular necrosis in HIV disease: epidemiology, etiology, and clinical management.” AIDS. 2003;17(1):1-9.
- Assouline-Dayan Y, Chang C, Greenspan A, Shoenfeld Y, Gershwin ME. “Pathogenesis and natural history of osteonecrosis.” Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2002;32(2):94-124.
- Fauchald P, Rygvold O, Oystese B. “Takayasu’s arteritis—a 5-year follow-up study.” Acta Med Scand. 1982;211(6):457-463.
- Koo KH, Kim R, Ko GH, Song HR, Jeong ST, Yang JW. “Preventing collapse in early osteonecrosis of the femoral head.” Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1999;(358):221-226.
- Talbot BS, Weinberg EP. “Imaging of avascular necrosis and transient osteoporosis of the hip.” Semin Musculoskelet Radiol. 2015;19(1):62-72.
- Lee S, Kim JY, Han SH. “Comparison of SPECT and MRI for early detection of avascular necrosis of the femoral head.” Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2012;39(6):1125-1133.
Avascular necrosis (AVN) is a progressive bone disorder caused by disruption of blood supply, leading to bone
necrosis, structural collapse, and joint dysfunction. Early diagnosis and timely intervention are essential to prevent
irreversible disability. We report the case of a 35-year-old Indian male who presented with severe left hip pain significantly
affecting daily activities. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed bilateral AVN, with Grade IV involvement of the left hip
and Grade II–III involvement of the right hip. Conservative management failed to provide symptomatic relief, necessitating
surgical intervention in the form of total left hip replacement and right hip core decompression. Postoperatively, the patient
demonstrated clinical improvement, with pain scores on the Visual Analog Scale reducing from 8/10 to 6/10, hip flexion
improving from 90° to 120°, and muscle strength increasing from grade 3/5 to 4/5. AVN is commonly associated with trauma,
corticosteroid use, and systemic conditions and progresses from ischemia to joint degeneration if untreated. This case
emphasizes the importance of early MRI-based diagnosis and individualized treatment strategies, as advanced AVN often
requires surgical management to improve pain, mobility, and overall quality of life.
Keywords :
Avascular Necrosis; Femoral Head; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Total Hip Replacement; Core Decompression; Hip Pain; Osteonecrosis.