Osteonecrosis: A Primer

• A primer provides synopsis of current understanding on osteonecrosis.
• A short quiz serves as an advanced organizer of materials presented.
• Early stage vs. late stage osteonecrosis influences treatment options.
• Educating at-risk patients can improve clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction.
• Answers to short quiz are found in the Appendix.

In this article we present a synopsis on osteonecrosis (ON), a painful and potentially debilitating condition, which can affect any articulating joint but predominately the hip. ON is caused by reduced blood flow to the bone, which can eventually lead to femoral head collapse and/or end-stage osteoarthritis. As ON progresses, there is likely an increasing need for total hip arthroplasty. Treatments for ON include managing pain, preventing progression of the condition, improving joint function, and preserving the affected joint. Education may improve clinical outcomes by alerting the patient to the following: (a) risk factors; (b) pathogenesis; (c) diagnosis; and (d) alternative treatment plans.