Just diagnosed with Osteonecrosis

[Ash322]

Fell heavily on my right knee about 15 mths ago and have been hobbling ever since. Finally had an MRI and they said I have 'SONK'. That is Spontaneous Osteo Necrosis Knee. He said the fall had nothing to do with it?? I'm taking Serotide for my COPD and Ursosan for my PBC. Both are steroids and can contribute to bone death. Great! Last time I went to the dentist and had an X-Ray, he said in surprise, "You have no bone in your upper right jaw". I thought it was Peridontitis but maybe it's bone death of the jaw from steroids. I'm on the list now for a full knee replacement. A bit scared because now my right shoulder is hurting and my right hip. Actually, both have for sometime but I thought it was the way I was laying in bed. I can't really stop taking Ursosan for my PBC, although I have read that it isn't set in concrete that it helps with dissolving bile duct stones and reducing damage to the liver. What do I do?

[Wass71]

Hi Ash322,

Sorry to hear you've got this horrible diagnosis. I hope the knee replacement will make a big difference to you.

Just wanted to say that Urso is not a steroid medication. It's just a synthetic form of a naturally occurring substance which helps to move bile through the damaged bile ducts. If you are tolerating the drug keep taking it, as response to this drug can keep you from going on to develop further liver problems.

Good luck for the future,

Best wishes

[Ash322 in reply to Wass71]

Thanks for that. I was wondering. Maybe it is just the Serotide which doesn’t seem to help my breathing and I’ve stopped taking that for the moment. The surgeon hadn’t heard of Ursosan. Not his area