Overview
Avascular necrosis (AVN), also known as osteonecrosis or bone infarction, is a condition where bone tissue dies because it does not get enough blood supply. When blood flow to a bone is reduced or cut off, the bone cells begin to die, and the bone can eventually collapse. This most commonly affects the hip joint, but it can also occur in the knee, shoulder, ankle, and wrist. The condition can affect one bone or multiple bones at the same time. The most common symptom is pain in the affected joint, which may start mild and gradually worsen over weeks or months. As the disease progresses, the bone may weaken and collapse, leading to severe arthritis and loss of joint function. Many people first notice pain when putting weight on the affected joint, and over time the pain may occur even at rest. AVN can be caused by many factors, including long-term use of corticosteroid medications, excessive alcohol use, trauma or fractures near a joint, blood clotting disorders, sickle cell disease, and certain autoimmune conditions. In some cases, no clear cause is found, which is called idiopathic avascular necrosis. Treatment depends on the stage of the disease and ranges from medications and physical therapy in early stages to surgical options such as core decompression, bone grafting, or total joint replacement in advanced cases. Early detection and treatment are important to preserve the joint and prevent further damage.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Joint pain that worsens over timePain in the hip or groin areaPain when bearing weight on the affected jointStiffness in the affected jointLimited range of motionLimping or difficulty walkingPain at rest in advanced stagesPain in the knee, shoulder, or ankleJoint collapse in severe casesMuscle weakness around the affected jointDifficulty climbing stairsPain that spreads to the buttock or thigh
Multifactorial
Caused by a mix of several genes and environmental factors
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsYale University — NA
University of California, Davis — PHASE2
Cytex Therapeutics, Inc. — NA
DePuy Orthopaedics — NA
F. Johannes Plate — NA
Ataturk University — NA
Dr. Lutfi Kirdar Kartal Training and Research Hospital
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Avascular necrosis.
20 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Avascular necrosis.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Avascular necrosis.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Avascular necrosis
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: The Medacta International SMS Post-Marketing Surveillance Study
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Avascular necrosis
New recruiting trial: Talus Replacement Registry
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Avascular necrosis
New recruiting trial: Safety and Effectiveness of the HIT Reverse HRS
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Avascular necrosis
New recruiting trial: Persona OsseoTi Keel Compatibility Study (Total Knee Arthroplasty)
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Avascular necrosis
New recruiting trial: Z1 Hip System: Post-Market Clinical Follow Up Study
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Avascular necrosis
New recruiting trial: Observational Study to Evaluate Long-Term Outcome in Hip Hemiarthroplasty
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Avascular necrosis
New recruiting trial: Alendronate for Osteonecrosis in Adults With Sickle Cell Disease
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Avascular necrosis
New recruiting trial: EMPHASYS Cup Positioning in THA With Non-Invasive Navigation (Velys Hip Navigation (VHN))
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Avascular necrosis
New recruiting trial: Physica System Total Knee Replacement Registry Study
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Avascular necrosis
New recruiting trial: Hydrogel Coating to Reduce Post-surgical Infection After Joint Arthroplasty
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Avascular necrosis
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What stage is my avascular necrosis, and what does that mean for my treatment options?,What is the likely cause of my AVN, and can that underlying cause be treated?,Is there anything I can do to slow down the progression of the disease?,When should I consider surgery, and what type of surgery would be best for me?,Are there any activities I should avoid to protect my joint?,How often should I have imaging done to monitor the condition?,Should I be screened for any underlying blood disorders or other conditions that could be contributing?
Common questions about Avascular necrosis
What is Avascular necrosis?
Avascular necrosis (AVN), also known as osteonecrosis or bone infarction, is a condition where bone tissue dies because it does not get enough blood supply. When blood flow to a bone is reduced or cut off, the bone cells begin to die, and the bone can eventually collapse. This most commonly affects the hip joint, but it can also occur in the knee, shoulder, ankle, and wrist. The condition can affect one bone or multiple bones at the same time. The most common symptom is pain in the affected joint, which may start mild and gradually worsen over weeks or months. As the disease progresses, the b
How is Avascular necrosis inherited?
Avascular necrosis follows a multifactorial inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Avascular necrosis typically begin?
Typical onset of Avascular necrosis is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Avascular necrosis?
Yes — 20 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Avascular necrosis on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Avascular necrosis?
25 specialists and care centers treating Avascular necrosis are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.