Femoral Head Avascular Necrosis

Description: Background Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head is a pathologic process resulting from interruption of blood supply to bone. AVN of the hip is poorly understood but is the final common pathway of traumatic or nontraumatic factors that compromise the already precarious circulation of the femoral head. Femoral head ischemia results in the death of marrow and osteocytes and usually results in the collapse of the necrotic segment. Osteonecrosis of the femoral head was first described in 1738 by Munro. In approximately 1835, Cuwilhier depicted femoral head morphologic changes secondary to interruption of blood flow. Since Mankin described 27 cases of AVN in 1962, the number of reported cases has increased steadily. (full text)