Does anyone have any experience with AVN in the hip?

[myfacelookslikeatoe]

Hi there, I have requested an appointment with my gp to hopefully have an x-ray to see what is happening with my hip but just wondering if you had AVN - avascular necrosis of the femur head, what were your initial symptoms?

I broke my hip a few years ago and had it pinned with a dynamic hip screw. All been fine and x-rays good (last x-ray 2 years ago) I have pain in cold weather and things like that but always been okay with that as it's expected and fades fairly quickly. Have been struggling with a lot of pain when bearing weight on the bloody thing for months now and just wondering if it's the dreaded avn. :(

Could be, I would normally follow up with xrays at 6 weeks, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months for fractures at risk of AVN.

If you are less than 3 years down the line from the fracture, and the xray is reported as 'normal' I'd insist on either an orthopaedic referral or MRI scan as this is one condition where early intervention can sometimes make quite a big difference.

Early symptoms can be intermittant or continuous pain, normally in the groin, potentially worse on loading or activity (occasionally worse at night).

Hope this helps.

Thank you, the pain is mainly groin when walking and on stairs and pain radiating down to the outer knee so I am a bit worried. I will report back.

My husband has this and his other hip will need resurfacing at some point. I think he’s reaching that point now. The pain he describes is exactly what you have described here. Weirdly it’s worse when walking in shopping malls! I would request an X-ray

@Realitea oh I’m sorry to hear that as it’s really horrible! What did he have done in the end if you don’t mind me asking? A replacement? I’m so nervous about having surgery again because I don’t do well off my feet due to another issue I have going on. Bit every day it’s looking more and more like it’s arthritis or avn already.

The first hip was re surfaced
The second they did an operation to help the blood flow but it’s looking like that hasn’t worked.
He had an X-ray about a year ago which showed arthritis and he was told that’s the cause of the pain but they have also asked if he wants the other hip resurfaced too so it must have damage.
It must be so painful, I’m sorry you’re having to go through the same.
I believe they do the operation now with a spinal block rather than full anaesthesia which might help recovery time (maybe!)