The Doctors Lounge - Orthopedics Answers
"The information provided
on www.doctorslounge.com is designed to support, not replace, the
relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her
physician."
Back to Orthopedics Answers List
Question: avascular nercrosis
| jbelectric777
- Fri Dec 22, 2006 5:58 am |
Dear Doctors,
Years ago I consumed alcohol on a daily basis after work (Beer) I stopped from drinking completly after being warned by my Doctor about rising enzyme levels. I guess I consumed beer for about 15 years or so on a regular basis and probably too much I admit. After I refrained from alcohol I was feeling stronger than ever and was actually praised by my PCP for taking such good care of myself. I was working out, lost a ton of weight and just never felt better in my life. After that I was helping my brother move some heavy items into his apartment and I felt a snap of some sort and had very minor pain, so minor I was not even going to go to the hospital but my mother said I had better just in case. So I went to ER and x-rays were taken and at that time the attending radiologist and attending nurse at the ER said I was fine , that it was a mucsle strain and noted is was an unremarkable hip and pelvis , gave me some ALEVE for pain and sent me home. I was so thrilled it wasnt serious and I continued on with my work and life as usual. About 4 to 6 months later I awoke from sleep in the morning and could not walk on that leg. I went to the local hospital where I was living and the ER doctors told me I had a partially healed non displaced fracture (old) which now was infected with nercrosis and collapse , further MRI proved it needed total replacement which I had done a few years back and have nothing but praise for my surgeons top skills. I guess my question is: Why didnt the first hospital just tell me I had a fracture ? And what that could cause, or if there was anything I could do to save my hip. I value your opinion and I thank you for your generous donation of your knowledge. Jim
|
| Dr. Chan Lowe
- Fri Dec 22, 2006 7:49 am |
 It is quite possible that the fracture was too small to notice initially when it occurred. Often, if there is suspicion of a fracture, but it cannot be seen on x-ray, the films can be repeated in about a week. By that point a callous will have formed where the fracture was, allowing it to be seen.
If in that week's time, the symptoms resolve, often the films are not repeated. Without being able to see the fracture on the initial films, it is often much more likely to be a muscular problem.
The avascular necrosis is a known, but not frequently seen, outcome with fracture of the femoral head and neck.
In terms of what could have been done to prevent this, there isn't much, unfortunately. If the fracture were identified the doctors may have wanted to follow you a bit more closely for the possibility of this complication; however, it sounds as if your symptoms occurred quite quickly, so even knowing a fracture had been present would likely have not caused anyone to be concerned enough to have looked for developing avascular necrosis.
Hope this helps.
|
Check a doctor's response to similar questions
 send
to a friend
|
