Therapy
The therapy of choice for osteonecrosis depends on several factors. Sometimes it is sufficient to spare the affected part of the body for a while and not to burden it with weight, i.e. to treat it purely conservatively. Thanks to this resting period, spontaneous healing can often be achieved.
In worse cases, however, only a surgical intervention can help. Again, there are several possibilities. In the case of small necroses, drilling the bone (Pridie drilling) may be sufficient, otherwise bone transplantation (with or without cartilage, depending on the affliction) and the use of joint replacements (total endoprostheses, TEP) may be performed.
The course of osteonecrosis varies from person to person. It is mainly dependent on: The closer the dead bone tissue is to the joint and the larger this area is, the more serious the course of the disease is in general. In principle, anything is possible, from spontaneous healing to the total destruction of bone.
- Age of the patient
- Individual risk factors
- The shutter release
- Extent and localization of bone infarction
