Osteonecrosis
Although
the disease called osteonecrosis was discovered in Egyptian mummies,
there is a lack of information available in understanding and treating
this disease. The word osteonecrosis
comes from a combination of two words which mean that part of the
bone is no longer alive and cannot regenerate itself due to a lack
of blood supply.
In
most cases, the disease attacks people in their late thirties and
forties for the first time. If left untreated, it will eventually
destroy the joint, thereby requiring a joint replacement.
It is estimated that 10% of all hip replacements performed in
the United States are due to osteonecrosis (also called avascular
necrosis). Although osteonecrosis is not life threatening,
it is extremely debilitating, especially when you consider the age
factor. 
The juvenile
version of osteonecrosis is known as PerthesDisease and usually
afflicts children from ages four through twelve.
There are several
resources for more information concerning this disease:
