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60 years
After the MRI, it turned out blood is not reaching part of my knee. What is the worse case scenario?
Apr 21, 2014
2nd opinion

Dr. Rania Mousa General Medicine
One must note that bone is a living tissue - much like any other part of the body - and requires blood and oxygen to survive. In osteonecrosis, the blood supply to an area of bone is interrupted and results in death of that segment of bone.
When an area of bone loses its blood supply as a result of osteonecrosis, the body tries to replace it with living bone in a process sometimes referred to as "creeping substitution." However, in this progression the softening and absorption of necrotic bone outpaces new bone formation. During this replacement process there is a temporary weakening - and the possibility of collapse - of this segment of bone.
When osteonecrosis involves a weight bearing surface near a joint such as the knee, the weakened surface may break or collapse under normal loading. This surface fracture, called a subchondral fracture, may cause sudden, acute pain in the joint.
Although osteonecrosis has several causes, in the overwhelming majority of patients the exact cause of the osteonecrosis is not known; this is referred to as idiopathic AVN. Although the exact mechanism is not fully understood, idiopathic AVN is associated with certain disease conditions as described in this section.
Typically, osteonecrosis in the knee results in sudden onset of pain. It may be triggered by a specific seemingly routine activity or minor injury. Also, patients who have known mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis who suddenly get worse may be experiencing a local area of osteonecrosis that suddenly worsens their condition.
Osteonecrosis is often associated with increased pain with activity and at night. It may also cause swelling of the knee and sensitivity to touch and pressure, and can result in limited motion due to pain and swelling.
Treatment will be depending on the stage of the osteonecrosis.
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