Basically, the blood supply to my knee had stopped, the bone subsequently died, then crumbled, so no joint, just walking bone on bone. .....which explained why I had had months of excruciating pain!
I had never heard of this condition, but it can be linked to RA, although doctors don't really know much about it, it's quite rare, most of the info I have found is American. It often does not show up on X rays.
Would be really grateful if anyone has more details, from what I've found it seems that I could be at risk of developing it elsewhere. Bit frightening. M
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My friend's son, who is 5 has just been diagnosed with osteonecrosis in his hip. The dr's told them that if he is non-weight bearing on it for 9 months to a year, it could reverse and start working again. He is all boy though and I don't think will stick to the non-weight bearing part. They are having a hard time finding a pediatric surgeon who knows anything about this issue.
Is it possible for you get a knee replacement with no bone?
I wish you luck for the future.
Christine
That doesn't sound nice!
I'm 7 weeks post knee replacement - the first 3-4 weeks were a bit nightmarish but I'm mostly walking without a stick.
I think in children it's called Perthes disease. I saw children being treated for that when my daughter was young, she was in and out of hospital with hip problems. All the boys I knew then recovered! Never realised there was an adult version. Thanks for your good wishes!
Glad to hear you're getting on well, Pauline S, I was wondering how you were!
I've now discovered an AVN forum, hopefully as supportive as this one.
Sorry to hear you've had such trouble with your knee, hopefully it will feel much better now you've had surgery.
I know a little about avascular necrosis. As you say it means that the blood supply had been cut off to part of a bone for some, often unknown, reason. Avascular just means without blood supply.
Perthes is avascular necrosis of the hip and occurs in children so you may find more info looking that up.
Often they don't know why it happens, although sometimes following an injury ie following a fracture where blood supply to part of the bone may be cut off . I am not aware of being more likely to get it elsewhere.
Now you have had your knee replaced hopefully your pain is reduced and you can start building up the muscle again to protect your new joint.
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Foot surgery? No thanks!
Cervical spine fusion
Post Total Knee Replacement with RA 
Toe update.
Shoulder is killing me !
