Overview
Traumatic avascular necrosis (also called traumatic osteonecrosis or post-traumatic bone death) is a condition where bone tissue dies because its blood supply has been cut off following an injury or trauma. This most commonly affects the hip (femoral head), but it can also occur in the knee, shoulder, ankle, or wrist. When a bone is fractured or a joint is dislocated, the blood vessels that feed the bone can be damaged or torn. Without a steady blood supply, the bone cells begin to die, and over time the bone can weaken, collapse, and break down. This leads to pain, stiffness, and loss of joint function. The main symptoms include joint pain that gradually worsens, limited range of motion, and difficulty bearing weight on the affected limb. In early stages, you may feel no symptoms at all, which is why the condition can go undiagnosed for months after the original injury. As the bone deteriorates, the overlying cartilage can also break down, leading to arthritis in the joint. Treatment depends on how far the disease has progressed. Early-stage disease may be managed with medications for pain, physical therapy, and procedures to reduce pressure inside the bone (core decompression). In more advanced cases, bone grafting or joint replacement surgery may be necessary. Early detection and treatment are important because they can slow or prevent further bone collapse and preserve joint function.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Joint pain that gets worse over timePain when bearing weight on the affected jointStiffness in the affected jointLimited range of motionLimping or difficulty walkingPain in the groin or thigh area (if the hip is affected)Pain at rest or at night in later stagesMuscle weakness around the jointJoint swellingCollapse of the joint surfaceGrinding or clicking sensation in the jointDifficulty with daily activities like climbing stairs
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Traumatic avascular necrosis.
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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 Traumatic avascular necrosis.
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Caregiver Resources
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Social Security Disability
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Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What stage is my avascular necrosis, and how much bone damage has occurred?,What treatment options are best for my current stage of disease?,Can we try non-surgical treatments first, or do I need surgery now?,How can I protect the joint and slow down further bone damage?,What activities should I avoid, and what exercises are safe for me?,If I need joint replacement, how long will the artificial joint last, and will I need future surgeries?,Are there any clinical trials or newer treatments I should consider?
Common questions about Traumatic avascular necrosis
What is Traumatic avascular necrosis?
Traumatic avascular necrosis (also called traumatic osteonecrosis or post-traumatic bone death) is a condition where bone tissue dies because its blood supply has been cut off following an injury or trauma. This most commonly affects the hip (femoral head), but it can also occur in the knee, shoulder, ankle, or wrist. When a bone is fractured or a joint is dislocated, the blood vessels that feed the bone can be damaged or torn. Without a steady blood supply, the bone cells begin to die, and over time the bone can weaken, collapse, and break down. This leads to pain, stiffness, and loss of join
How is Traumatic avascular necrosis inherited?
Traumatic avascular necrosis follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Which specialists treat Traumatic avascular necrosis?
20 specialists and care centers treating Traumatic avascular necrosis are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.