Osteonecrosis Q & A

Hi, I’m 25years old, male and I’ve had Crohn’s disease since 1999. I have taken a lot of prednisone all these years and I have developed osteonecrosis of the knees. I’m suffering from it 4 years now and I can’t find a solution at least for the pain. Doctors that I have visited so far,are not helping at all. How can I relieve my knee pain, I need something drastic and not simple pain killers that do nothing. I have stopped taking prednisone 2 months now and my Crohn’s is in remission at the moment.

I have fell at work two different times at work. One time it hurt my left hip and another time it hurt my right hip. The first time, it was several years ago and the last time was this year. Recently, I have been diagnosed with osteonecrosis in both my hips. Could the result of my accidents of falling at work cause this in my hips? I do not have any other reason to have this other then the work that I do. I do alot of of heavy lifting, bending and stooping on my job. Could this be a factor that I may consider this for workmans comp so that I dont lose my job while I am out having surgery because that is where this is leading to. Could heavy lifting, bending and stooping cause osteonecrosis after a period on ten years doing it or maybe could it be the falling that caused it? I went to the company doctor both times and they did not even xray it or nothing. They just claimed that I strained some muscles but now I am not so sure. Please help. If this can be under workmans comp, then I will not lose my job due to having surgery.

I had an MRI about 3 and a half months following a posterior hip dislocation. At that time there was no sign of AVN. There were signs of hip capsule stretching, but everything else was fine. Since this time period, and since I’ve begun returning to physical activites, I’ve noticed an increased amount of pain first in my groin, and now between the top of my hip and my knee. I have minor limitation of movement. Is there still a chance of AVN developing after that earlier MRI???

You said a cause of Avascular Necrosis in this previous letter could be,”extreme alcohol consumption”. What is considered “extreme”? I was diagnosed with Avascular Necrosis in 1998 in both hips,(I was told it was from a one time, 2 week course of Prednisone prescribed for Bell’s Palsy). I’ve had both hips replaced, and now I am getting symptoms in my elbow. I have not used any Prednisone, however I unfortunately consume 3-4 glasses of wine per day. Is my alcohol abuse the cause of this? I would appreciate whatever information you can give me. Thank you in advance for your answer.