Avascular Necrosis-Osteonecrosis Education and Resources

Question

Could you elaborate on how osteoarthritis can be a secondary condition to avascular necrosis? And how can avascular necrosis adversely affect a confirmed primary diagnosis of osteoarthriris?

That a great question and I will explain both with diagrams

Answer

Osteoarthritis and osteonecrosis (avascular necrosis) are two diferent problems. Osteoarthritis occurs with when the cartilage wears thin and degrades. It is thought to primarily a cartilage problem although recently some investigators have raised the theory that collapse of bone at the cartilage interface may also contribute.

Osteonecrosis occurs when the bone does not get enough blood supply and dies. This occurs most commonly after trauma to the joint injury, to say meniscus or a diver gets the bends . Patients with certain blood disorders, patients with lupus or those who are taking high doses of prednisone are also at risk for osteonecrosis.

The confusion comes when a joint is so badly degenerated or “at its endstage”.

So at that point it is often impossible to distinguish between the two problems.

There are many causes for developing Osteonecrosis aka Avascular Necrosis.

Points To Remember About Osteonecrosis

• Osteonecrosis is a bone disease that may cause pain or limit physical activity.
• Anyone can get osteonecrosis, but it is most common in people in their 30s, 40s, and 50s.
• Osteonecrosis results from the loss of blood supply to the bone. Without blood, the bone tissue dies and the bone collapses.
• Loss of blood supply to the bone can be caused by medicines or medical procedures, medical conditions, alcohol use, injury, or increased bone pressure. It is not always known what causes the loss of blood supply to the bone.
• Most people with osteonecrosis need treatment. Your treatment options may be nonsurgical, surgical, or both.

What is osteonecrosis?

Osteonecrosis is a bone disease. It results from the loss of blood supply to the bone. Without blood, the bone tissue dies. This causes the bone to collapse. It may also cause the joints that surround the bone to collapse. If you have osteonecrosis, you may have pain or be limited in your physical activity.

Osteonecrosis can develop in any bone, most often in the:

• Thigh bone (femur).
• Upper arm bone (humerus).
• Knees.
• Shoulders.
• Ankles.

It is also called:

• Avascular necrosis.
• Aseptic necrosis.
• Ischemic necrosis.

Points To Remember About Osteoarthritis

• Osteoarthritis is a joint disease in which the tissues in the joint break down over time. It is the most common type of arthritis and is more common in older people.
• Common symptoms of osteoarthritis include joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, as well as changes in how the joint moves and feeling like the joint is loose or unstable.
• Treatment of osteoarthritis usually includes exercising, maintaining a healthy weight, wearing braces to help with stability, and taking medications, if prescribed.
• You can do many things to help you live with osteoarthritis, including using hot and cold therapies, avoiding repeated movements, and taking a class to help you learn about the condition.

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that happens when the tissues in the joint break down over time. It is the most common type of arthritis and is more common in older people.

People with osteoarthritis usually have joint pain and, after rest, stiffness (inability to move easily) for a short period of time. The most commonly affected joints include the:

• Hands (ends of the fingers and at the base and ends of the thumbs).
• Knees.
• Hips.
• Neck.
• Shoulder
• Lower back.

Osteoarthritis affects each person differently. For some people, osteoarthritis does not affect day-to-day activities. For others, it causes significant pain and disability.

I am so honored to share that I am a nominee in the WEGOHealth Awards for Best In Show Community and Patient Leader Hero

#WEGOHealthChat #WEGOHealthAwards #PatientLeader #Osteoarthritis #Osteonecrosis #Grateful

My WEGOHealth Profile Link

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Voting will begin in July and link will be posted then to vote.

Until then if you wish to nominate me or read about WEGOHealth please go to

WEGOHealthAwards Vote – Review Nominees – How It Works -The Judges

 

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Consult your physician before adding or omitting anything to your daily regimen.

1. What is Cat’s Claw?

Cat’s claw is a medicinal herb made from the vine, roots, and bark of the cat’s claw plant. Found in South America, the plant’s popular name comes from its claw-shaped thorns. Research points to many immune system-boosting compounds that promote the relief of many types of ailments.

Native to the Amazon rainforest, and can be traced back to Inca civilization Cat’s Claw (Uncaria tomentosa) has been used for centuries by indigenous people and herbalists for medicinal preparations to address health concerns such as asthmas, arthritis, rheumatism, urinary and kidney problems, and inflammation. In modern herbal medicine, Cat’s Claw is often recommended for chronic illnesses such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, mononucleosis, as well as arthritis.

A potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory botanical, Cat’s Claw is used to treat joint problems that occur with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

In a small clinical trial, Cat’s Claw was shown to decrease pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, as well as osteoarthritis of the knee. The medicinal benefits of Cat’s Claw come from chemicals called pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids, which boost the immune system and help temper inflammation.  

The concentration of medicinally active chemicals in Cat’s Claw vary based on when and how the plant is harvested.

A holistic health physician will be knowledgeable about a product’s purity and potency, as well as which form of Cat’s Claw supplement is best for you. For example, your physician may suggest tea, tincture, extract or capsule depending upon your health concerns.

Some people experience upset stomach, headache or dizziness when using Cat’s Claw.

Also, it is not recommended for women who are pregnant or nursing, or for children under age three.

Unlike some natural medicines, the reputation of cat’s claw as a wide-ranging remedy is now wholly validated by science. Though not usually recommended in combination with other medicines, the health benefits of cat’s claw are vast.

Resources

Johnson, R.L., S. Foster, Low Dog, T. and Kiefer, D. National Geographic Guide to Medicinal Herbs: The World’s Most Effective Healing Plants. (2012) pp. 204-207. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic.

Yasuda, G., et al., “Rheumatoid Arthritis” in Textbook of Natural Medicine by Pizzorno, Joseph E. & Michael T. Murray. (Chapter 205, p 1769). (2013) St. Louis, MO Elsevier.

Mur E, Hartig F, Eibl G, Schirmer M. “Randomized double blind trial of an extract from the pentacyclic alkaloid-chemotype of uncaria tomentosa for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.” J Rheumatol. (2002 Apr) 29(4):678-81. Accessed 22 Apr 2018.

Arthritis Research Center-UK. “Cat’s Claw.” Accessed 22 Apr 18

Right now, we are all trying to live through these difficult times. We are forced to stay at home, some of my friends and family are now working from home, not visiting with family or friends many now are faced with home schooling their children and kids missing many special events graduation, dance recitals, prom, sports and parties.

They talk on the news about our new normal where we will have to not wear face masks then yes we are told to wear face masks, continuously wash our hands, don’t touch your face

If we dare to venture out most likely we will be at least six feet apart from others whether we are dinning out, getting a haircut, or even attending church.

Since wearing these masks I suffer from headaches, if I have to run errands and am gone for a few hours by the time I’m done, I have a headache. And explosive headache, I swear it’s because I’m breathing in carbon dioxide vs good oxygen.

Many now understand what it’s somewhat like to live with chronic pain or illness.

Often isolated.

Very little socializing, not working limiting your time out. Getting everything done in a day. Thankfully they don’t also have to live with chronic pain.

When we live with pain, much of what applies to the stay-at-home orders that are in place is exactly what it is like when pain invades one’s life.

To help through this difficult time of isolation, and for many increased pain, here are a few ideas you might want to think about:

Staying active:With many gyms and rehabilitation facilities closed, we need to find different ways to exercise so that we do not lose what we have worked so hard to achieve.

• Take walks around the neighborhood or a local park.
• Meditate even 5 minutes just close your eyes and focus on your breath and don’t worry if your mind wonders, it will at first.
• Do simple stretches every morning and every evening.
• Get up and down from a chair 15 times
• If you can work in a garden
• Remember stay hydrated, especially if you are going to exercise.
• If you walk in the park focus on the beauty and listen to the sounds that are around you.
• Start a gratitude journal
• And remember you are loved.

Sleep: because many of us are not as active during the stay-at-home order, you may find it more difficult to fall sleep and stay asleep. 

• Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day
• Avoid watching the news especially before bed
• Avoid naps throughout the day
• Meditation helps to relax the body
• Read a book if you are having trouble falling asleep
• Avoid eating heavy and spicy food before bedtime

Meals and Eating Healthy : This is the time to test your skills in the kitchen while you keep an eye on your weight

• Now that you may have more time, explore new recipes
• Be mindful of over snacking during the day
• Try something new eat meat free meals 3 days a week or more.
• With spring and summer around the corner try some new salads for dinner
• Watch cooking shows like on Pbs or food channels for new tips on simple healthy meals
• Shop online for groceries and have them delivered directly to your home if possible

If you have to work from home I know you may feel closed in a bit more.

I always enjoyed that feeling when my day was over and just got home.

Working from home:

• Find a place that is away from televisions and busy rooms
• Make a set schedule for time to work and time to do household chores. Maybe your company already has you on a schedule.
• Don’t sit all day move a bit keep that blood moving. Do you know sitting is the new smoking?
• And if you smoke try to quit I did after 40 years you can do it.
• Right now if you have to work from home don’t smoke while you work. If you must smoke give yourself a smoke break.
• Get dressed everyday don’t work in pj’s or sweats.
• Use Facetime, Zoom, and other platforms to stay in touch with family friends and especially coworkers
• Try to stay away from snacking all day
• Get up and stretch every hour for at least five minutes
• Every 30 minutes march in place for a count of 100-200
• Make sure your workspace is comfortable and ergonomically correct
• Make sure you take the necessary breaks from work
• Remember you can do this.

Finally : Home schooling the kiddos Many of you find you are now the teacher

• Set up a place that is just for school
• Keep a daily schedule
• Connect with other parents and teachers if you are having a difficult time
• Use free educational websites and watch webinars on home schooling
• Audiobooks are an idea for Storytime
• Keep fun in learning with educational games, art projects and music sports trivia history flash cards.
• Breathe and keep your cool.