r/AvascularNecrosis

I have seen an overwhelming amount of support for THR on this subreddit. My significant others doctor strongly pushed for core decompression (stage 2 hip). Their reasoning to not do THR was that he would need multiple through his life and each time the result would be less effective. He got the CD done and we are only 6 weeks out but he keeps voicing concerns about pain when he isn’t on crutches. Any success stories to help feel better about this choice?

I am currently on maternity leave but will be returning back to work soon. My job is on a manufacturing floor helping people with disabilities assemble products. This job involves lifting heavy boxes and being on my feet all day. Has anyone had any trouble working on a work floor with AVN in their hips? I’m not looking forward to going back with how much pain I’m in.

I’m F,26 and have had ulcerative colitis since I was a kid. For years I was on really high‑dose steroids – including repeated 1000 mg IV prednisolone pulses and long courses of 60–100 mg orally with slow tapers. I ended up steroid‑dependent with adrenal issues, and only got onto biologics later.

In 2022 I had an MRI of my hips because of right‑sided hip pain. The report described “popcorn‑like” signal changes in both proximal femurs (right worse than left), interpreted as older bone infarcts/osteonecrosis in the context of long‑term steroids, plus some bursitis/tendinosis.

When I talked to the doctor, they basically said the AVN/bone infarcts were an incidental finding and not really relevant – nothing to worry about. No plan for follow‑up imaging, no DXA, no real discussion about steroid‑related bone damage. The main message was: do some physio, it’s probably more functional.

Since then my hip and leg pain have clearly gotten worse despite regular strength training and physio whenever I’m not sick from immunosuppression. Walking, standing and lying on my right side are all more painful now, and looking back, the AVN on MRI doesn’t feel “incidental” at all.

I’m currently trying to get updated scans and a proper work‑up from rheumatology/orthopedics that actually takes the AVN seriously.

Has anyone else with steroid‑induced AVN been told early MRI findings were “incidental” or “nothing to worry about”, only to have things progress later? How did you get doctors to listen, and what ended up helping you the most once AVN was finally treated as a real part of the problem?

(I used AI to structure the post, wanted to mention this for transparency reasons)

After 7 IV doses of prednisone (1000mg) in the hospital, and almost 20 days of tapering oral prednisone (from 40 mg down to 30 mg now) I suddenly developed pain in both hips when touched and while walking. It feels like a severe muscle soreness after intense exercise. What are the chances that avascular necrosis has started? Has anyone developed necrosis this quickly?

My brother, who is 55 years old, has been diagnosed with bilateral AVN in femur head. The doctors said it is between Stage 2 and Stage 3, although they were unable to specify the exact stage. The cause of the AVN is still unknown.

We consulted Dr. Sunil Tuli and then visited Dr. Sujoy Bhattacharjee at Max Hospital, Delhi. Unfortunately, Dr. Sujoy was one of the worst doctors I have encountered in my life. He was very rude, had zero bedside manners, and seemed bothered by our presence in his room.

Many people have told us that core decompression (CD) may not have a high success rate, and that total hip replacement (THR) could be the better option. We visited Dr. Sujoy because we were considering surgery with him for my brother if everything goes well, but we left very disappointed with our experience with him.

Could anyone please suggest the best doctor for bilateral AVN for THR? Also, should we consider core decompression with OSSGROW bone cell therapy, or would that just be a waste of time and money?

I got an MRI awhile back after walking a year on my leg and it turned out to be a femoral fracture and avn. I think the only way I was able to manage was by drinking out the pain. It’s kind of what probably got me here to begin with.

I don’t know why, but I started panicking a couple hours ago about this whole situation. I think it’s the idea of having to report my condition to my family. I guess I didn’t consider it a “disease”, until someone in this thread mentioned it.

I want to know if anyone else has had a drinking problem while dealing with AVN. I know it’s one of the main indicators of this AVN, but does anyone know why? I’m not looking for someone to tell me to seek sobriety, so please spare your words.

I’m just wondering if anyone here with AVN has dealt with this condition and had alcohol be an actual noticeable component to this condition. I can’t see to find anyone talk about alcohol and AVN.

Hi everyone,

I (29, F) after getting my Core Decompression of bilateral hip joints 4 years back, finally took a decision to go for THP, I have my appointment with one of the surgeons this Friday.

As I deal with a lot of medical anxiety, I am trying to make a questionnaire consisting of all the questions that I should be asking the surgeons beforehand only. As I want to go forward with the surgery under the best surgeon possible.

Some of my questions include days of recovery and restrictions post surgery but I wanna ask YOU! The ones who have already been through it:

Can you tell me some important questions which I need to ask my surgeon before going for the surgery?
Any information about the implant’s material, what all to expect in the recovery or anything which you guys can tell me will help me a lot.

Thank you

My significant other has an AVN diagnosis. We've been together almost 2 years and I know very little of this disease.

They had one hip replaced a few years back shortly after finally getting a proper Dx. The other (original) hip is in pain​​, but not as severe as the first hip was... but still enough pain that it prevents them from being as active as they want to be. They used to be super active in younger years- winter sports, climbing, kayaking, backpacking, biking, etc. Now they don't do any of that because of the pain.

I don't understand why they are wanting to wait until the other hip is in as much pain as the first one before getting it replaced. Why not get it replaced now, even though it's not that bad, if you know what's going to get that bad? Why not get it done so that they can go back to being active? They said doctor is resistant to doing the surgery until it's to the point of severity as the first one? I don't get it.. seems like quality of life would be better with both hips replaced??

I have AVN in my left hip. Based on my last MRI in March, it hasn’t collapsed yet. Normally, I can get around with minimal pain but my range of motion is very limited (ex. I can’t sit cross legged, that movement and direction is very painful).

I did a lot of crafting on the floor yesterday and today, I’m in extreme pain. I can walk very slowly but certain movements give a very bad shock of pain if I step the wrong way, walk up an incline, go upstairs, or raise my leg (like to get up into the drivers seat of a truck). This has happened once before and I was on crutches for a week, I couldn’t bear weight at all. After a week, it almost magically got better.

Has anyone had this happen? Does this mean my hip collapsed? Any recommendations for what to take or do (advil, baths with epsom salt, ice, weed, stretches, sleeping positions, anything!!)? I’m desperate and have a big event coming up that I need to be able to walk and move for.

Thanks for reading!!

I’m 27. Healthy weight and activ. Went to a new doctor last week and brought X-rays I’ve gotten done over the last few years. She dx me with AVN in my talus. I’m just in mourning and waiting on the MRI… I ordered a boot that’s supposed to offload my foot 50%

prior to this I was dx with plantar fasciitis by two diff drs. Both occasions being when they saw “nothing wrong” w the respective x-rays. I left those appointments feeling crazy and questioning if there was actually something wrong w me.

Here’s the weird thing. I wouldn’t say I’m in pain. Just DISCOMFORT. Like there isnt enough room in my foot. Like my foot is creaky and my machine body needs some oil! Like I want to push it inside out. I can feel stuff in my foot. Lots of impingement between my foot bones. sometimes my toes have a delayed movement or they lock up but eventually the range of motion is there. It’s uncomfortable being still. It’s super frustrating and I’m aware of it 24/7. Like there are pieces of something in my foot. When my move those pieces slip through the toe bones. Sometimes my ligaments also feel twisted around my calf.

Is this typical of AVN in your talus ?????

When I’m walking I have instability. Now that I know another sensation I might also be feeling could very well be my leg bones pressing on soft bone I am just grossed out.

I’m wondering what is the hard stuff between my foot bones though/// I suspect it’s fibrous tissue…. will it show in the MRI???? Is it possible that’s not related to the suspected AVN???

I said to the new doctor, I’m here because my foot just feels plain wrong and also it feels like there’s stuff in it. At the last doctor, I thought I had cuboid displacement. He said no. Since then my range of motion has increased tenfold bc I’m CONSTANTLY stretching trying to dissolve this hard stuff I feel. I’m just not sure what to do.

I’m depressed because I walk everywhere. I recently got into rollerblading trying to STRENGTHEN my leg in a low impact way. …. Well yeah I’ve since taken a break since the diagnosis. I’m having so many emotions over it.

What do you guys think? Does this sound like AVN?

I have been diagnosed with avn stage 2 in December. First I went to the Appollo hospital with reports he said core decompression (60% of recovery) + stem cell therapy (80%) is needed. For the second opinion i went to Ganga hospital coimbatore. First he gave me pain killer tablets and vitamin D injection and osteofos 70 mg( bisphosphate tablet weekly once) and told me to come for a checkup after two months. After two months since the pain is not there he told me my hips are totally fine and told me to continue this bisphosphate tablet which will be taken weekly once and told to come for checkup after 6 months. So currently continuing this treatment...Am I on the right path? Could anyone please suggest this to me?

She’s still in pain day two after surgery. But she’s able to walk around a bit with clutches. She winces when climbing in and outta bed and always say her leg is killing her. I pray and hope she recovers quickly. Seeing her in pain is tough to deal with.