HSS Doctor Answers Your Questions on Avascular Necrosis

Stamford Daily Voice—July 12, 2016

In a recent article published by Stamford Daily Voice, Charles N. Cornell, MD, a hip and knee surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery, explains avascular necrosis and common causes of this bone disorder in a two-part Q&A series.

Dr. Cornell notes that, "Avascular necrosis, or AVN, is a bone disorder that results from vascular injury. Issues arise when a bone that is nourished by microscopic blood vessels lacks cross circulation. When the area of bone supplied by the clogged vessel dies, the body responds by removing the dead bone and replacing it with new living bone. At this point, the perfect fit between the ball and socket of the hip is lost, leading to arthritis. The collapse itself can also be painful and often leads to the need for hip replacement."

To read more of the Q&A, visit Stamford.DailyVoice.com.