Osteonecrosis.
Last updated Monday, December 27, 2004
SymptomsWhat are symptoms of osteonecrosis? The primary symptom of osteonecrosis is pain.
Other symptoms of osteonecrosis include limitation of motion, joint stiffness, and muscle spasms.
Pain
Pain
can start out slowly as mild pain, especially when walking, standing,
or lifting. The pain commonly becomes worse after standing, walking, or
doing some other activity in which gravity exerts pressure on your
bones (such activities are called weight-bearing activities). In later
stages, the pain can occur even when you are resting, and sometimes, it
may awaken you from sleep.
Limitation of motion
In the early stages, joint
motion is not affected. However, due to pain, it may become difficult
to move the affected joint. Eventually, if the bone collapses, the
cartilage is injured and arthritis will result. Joint motion can then
become impossible, or at best, difficult.
Muscles and joints
Muscles contract and tighten when there is pain in the area near
them. These contractions are called muscle spasms. Spasms can cause
more pain. Joint stiffness can occur due to the muscle spasms, pain,
and limitation of motion. How do the symptoms of osteonecrosis change over time? Symptoms usually begin slowly. In fact, in the earliest stage, there
are usually no symptoms at all. Other people may notice that you are
limping before you feel any pain. Once symptoms begin, they come and
go. If the condition is left untreated, progressive bone damage will
often occur. Surgery is usually required to correct the bone damage.
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