What is Avascular Necrosis ( AVN ) ?

What Is AVN (Avascular Necrosis)? Understanding the Disease From Inside

I’m Dr. Anupam Khandelwal, Orthopaedic & Joint Replacement Surgeon practicing in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
Many patients from Indore, Ujjain, and Bhopal come to me after hearing the term AVN for the first time—and naturally feel scared.

This article is written to explain only one thing clearly:
👉 What exactly is AVN and what happens inside the bone when AVN develops.

---

Avascular Necrosis (AVN) in One Simple Line

AVN (Avascular Necrosis) is a condition in which a part of the bone slowly dies because it does not receive enough blood.

Bones are living tissue.
They need a constant blood supply just like the heart or brain ❤️.

When that blood flow reduces or stops, the bone becomes weak from inside.

---

🔬What Actually Happens Inside the Bone in Avascular Necrosis (AVN)?

To understand Avascular Necrosis AVN, imagine this 👇

• 🩸 Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to bone cells
• 🚫 In AVN, this blood flow gets interrupted
• 💀 Bone cells start dying
• 🧱 Dead bone becomes fragile
• ⚠️ With body weight and movement, the bone starts collapsing

This collapse is permanent damage.

---

🧠 Why AVN (Avascular Necrosis ) Is a “Silent” Disease

One dangerous thing about AVN is that:

👉 Bone damage starts before pain starts

In early stages:

• Bone death has already begun
• Joint surface still looks normal
• Patient may feel little or no pain

That’s why many patients from Ratlam, Khandwa, and nearby areas get diagnosed late.

---

📉 Progression of AVN (Disease Timeline)

AVN does not remain the same. It progresses if untreated.

---

🦵 Why Hip Joint Is Most Commonly Affected

The hip joint (femoral head) has:

• Limited blood supply
• High body weight load
• Less margin for damage

That’s why AVN of the hip is most common, especially in active adults aged 30–50.

Patients from Indore and Bhopal often think it’s just “muscle pain” initially.

---

⚠️ AVN (Avascular Necrosis ) Is NOT Just “Joint Pain”

This is important to understand:

• ❌ AVN is not a muscle problem
• ❌ Not simple arthritis in early stages
• ❌ Not age-related wear and tear

It is bone death from inside, which is why ignoring pain can be dangerous.

---

🩻 Why Early Diagnosis Changes Everything

If AVN is detected before bone collapse:

• Joint-saving options are possible
• Disease progression can be slowed
• Natural joint may be preserved

Once collapse occurs:

• Damage becomes irreversible
• Joint replacement may be the only solution

This is why MRI-based early diagnosis is crucial.

---

Avascular Necrosis ( AVN )Awareness in Madhya Pradesh

In my practice in Indore, I see many patients from:

• Ujjain
• Bhopal
• Khandwa
• Khargone

Most of them say:
👉 “Doctor, hume AVN ke baare me pehle kisi ne bataya hi nahi.”

Awareness is the first step to prevention of damage.

---

Hindi Summary (संक्षेप में)

AVN (एवैस्कुलर नेक्रोसिस) एक बीमारी है जिसमें हड्डी को जाने वाला खून कम हो जाता है, जिससे हड्डी अंदर से धीरे-धीरे खराब होने लगती है।

• यह बीमारी शुरू में बिना दर्द के भी हो सकती है
• हिप जॉइंट सबसे ज़्यादा प्रभावित होता है
• समय पर पहचान होने से जॉइंट बचाया जा सकता है
• देर होने पर हड्डी बैठ जाती है

---

🌍 Swahili Summary (Kwa Ufahamu Rahisi)

AVN (Avascular Necrosis) ni hali ambapo mfupa haupati damu ya kutosha na huanza kufa taratibu.

• Huathiri zaidi joint ya nyonga
• Uharibifu huanza kabla ya maumivu
• Utambuzi wa mapema unaweza kuokoa joint
• Ucheleweshaji husababisha uharibifu wa kudumu

---

❓ FAQs – Understanding AVN