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:
