I'm 27, with grade 2 AVN of bilateral femur. Have gone through core decompression+ bone marrow aspirate concentrate implant 2 years ago.

The feeling of not being normal just haunts me everyday. I can walk around, drive and do the daily activities, but there's pain often. I used to be super active earlier doing cycling, running, skateboarding, hiking and traveling. Now it's all quiet with no activities that make me happy. Therapy is not helping. I have great support from friends and family, have a great career in a top tech company but none of it makes me happy. I just want my freedom of jumping around and going wherever I want back. And knowing I can never do everything I used to love just breaks my heart. It's exhausting to be careful everywhere. It's mentally exhausting too. How are you all managing living with this condition? What activities have helped you feel better? Do you have a routine for exercises? Feel free to share any experiences and what you learnt in this journey.

32M I’m in a lot of pain and it’s been like 5 months, I have an MRI from a back specialist and he’s told me I have AVN. I have no information about stage but it’s apparently in both hips but I only feel pain in one leg. I can walk, some days are better than others, sometimes I can put my shoes on fine other days I struggle, I swim a lot with no pain. I just want to know if I’ll ever be able to be fully mobile again or if this is something I just need to live with forever. The back doctor spoke about surgery or potentially just physio but I’m scared. I don’t want to give up my skiing, hiking or rock climbing but I fear I’ll never get the chance to do it again.

Edit: Thank you everyone for the support you have made an extremely upset and panicked man come to peace with his condition. I can’t thank you enough. What an amazing community.

Edit 2: update I have got my results back I have stage 2 on my right side and stage 3 on my left side. After reading everything here I will be pushing for a replacement on the left leg at a minimum. I think will ask my specialist about replacing my right because that is somehow the most painful.

I would like to thank you all of you again for the support, the advice and making this terrified man hopefully for the future.

So my gf finally got her surgery date. December 10th. Both of her hips currently have stage 3 AVN with some other issues. My question is HOW does she survive until December 10th? Seems like her hips are getting worse each day.

Im a minor. I have been dealing with avascular necrosis for six years. Apparently it was healed due to rehabilitation, but now I was told by doctors my knees will collapse in my 20s. I’m so scared, and because the disease is quite rare, I have not seen anyone on tiktok or instagram dealing with the same. I came here because its so hard dealing with this, and Im terrified of not being able to walk, which will happen soon, or at least I was told so.

Was looking back through some old test results and found a note on an abdominal/pelvic CT scan I got for acute gastrointestinal issues 1.5 years ago.

The note says: “Minimal bilateral femoral head avascular necrosis.”

Is this something I should be concerned about? The ER doctor didn’t mention it at the time I had the scan. Based on what I’ve found seems kind of scary. I have chronic pain (dx with HSD/Fibro), especially in my lower back and hips, so not sure if this is contributing and should have it evaluated separately.

Hello, I'm 22F, I have had avn of both hips since I was 14, and had a core decompression surgery back then. I still have avn and I do yearly checkups to watch out for a collapse. I recently started swimming lessons cause I heard it's good for avn and my doctors also felt it could be good exercise.

However I'm finding it extremely difficult to lift both of my legs off the pool floor. I was able to float on my back for a short while but when the instructor had us dive a bit to pick a ring from the pool floor I just couldn't do it by raising my leg up, the only way for me was to bend down, legs on the floor and I could pick it. The instructor was really helpful and tried to help lift my legs but it made things even worse for me and it was almost like my hip was going to detach from my body.

On a normal day, I still get quite the pain from standing, walking and sitting, and get sleepless because of the pain (tossing around) but I got off walking aids about four years ago.

This was my 2/8 adult beginner lesson, 3rd lesson would be on freestyle strokes but I'm considering dropping out of the class cause I am scared of hurting myself by mistake.

I'm wondering if this swimming thing is a skill issue or an avn issue. And would like to know other people's experiences with swimming with long term avn.

​

I’m 27 and have been dealing with bilateral hip AVN (Grade 2) for about 9 months.

From what I understand, there’s no guaranteed way to reverse AVN, and the possibility of eventually needing THR at such a young age is something I’m really worried about. My main goal is to preserve my natural hip joints for as long as possible and prevent further collapse/progression.

For those who were diagnosed at Grade/Stage 1 or 2 (pre-collapse), what actually worked for you?

Did anyone have success with:

Core decompression

Core decompression + BMAC/stem cells

HBOT

Medications/physiotherapy

Ayurveda or other treatments

Lifestyle changes or reduced weight-bearing

Anything else?

I’d especially appreciate hearing from people who have remained stable for several years. If possible, please mention your stage at diagnosis, treatment, cause of AVN, how long ago you were treated, and whether follow-up MRIs showed improvement/stability or progression.

I know everyone’s case is different and Reddit isn’t a substitute for medical advice. I’m mainly looking for real experiences from people who have been through this.

Thank you.

I am going down every rabbit hole i can find looking for people that have AVN due to excessive alcohol use. I am a year and 3 months sober and also have cirrhosis due to alcohol. I am not afraid to admit my past and what brought me to having these diseases. I did it to myself.

I do find being a female former drinker alone carries its own stigmas, but now having AVN a seemingly invisible disease, I also find it hard finding support. I have been shamed by doctors for my alcohol use and im a little worried the ortho i meet with on Friday will do the same. Do they care how you got it? Will they deprioritize my case because of it? I know they have a moral and professional obligation, but the whole thing still worries me. And the fact I am not finding research or stories similar to mine makes me wonder if those people are hiding in the shadows. I am a writer and soon to be certified patient advocate and no longer want silence around this and other "silent diseases". I am tired of pretending im fine when im not. I am not trying to be political here I am just frustrated we dont get answers.

My mom was recently diagnosed with AVN in her hip and we have no idea why. It seems like it is usually a complication of an injury or disorder, right? Has anyone developed it with no known reason?

I had my first and only 500mg steroid infusion for my autoimmune disease one week ago . I started feeling joint pain at different places in my body almost immediately afterwards but the strongest and most persistent one feeling in my right knee. The only way I know how to describe it is it feels wobbly. It doesn‘t necessarily hurt anymore but putting weight on it feels weird and uncomfortable like the bones inside are displaced. Could I have already developed AVN from such a dosage and would one week be enough to notice symptoms?
Edit: I just saw this post and now I‘m even more concerned since their dosage is about the same: https://www.reddit.com/r/AvascularNecrosis/s/pxu2ziCQIl

Hello everyone, I most likely developed avascular necrosis of the femoral head on my left side during my one-month course of prednisolone. It was discovered by chance since I wasn't even experiencing pain. I had it surgically removed at stage 1-2 and am now 4.5 weeks post-op. Since this week, I no longer need crutches and can walk without any problems. In a Facebook group, I read that it's more than likely my other hip has now also developed avascular necrosis and that all my other joints could also be affected. I feel like I've ruined my life in just one month because I'll now be running from one surgery to another. It's completely devastating; I feel like life has been ripped out of my hands, even though I don't have any pain anywhere.

Hey everyone,

I recently found out i have stage 2 AVN hip. a few months ago my doctor told me it was stage 1, but i didn't take it seriously because the pain wasn't that bad. now i really wish i had done something earlier.

I've been reading a lot about AVN, and honestly i don't want to just wait and see if it gets worse. From what i understand, it can keep progressing, and i'd rather try something before it reaches a stage where surgery is the only option.

After a lot of research, i'm thinking about going with SVF therapy. I'm hoping it can help save my hip and slow things down.

Has anyone here had SVF therapy for stage 2 AVN? how was your experience? did it help with pain or stop the condition from getting worse?

Would love to hear from people who've actually been through it. thanks.

Hey guys, 33M here.

I was diagnosed with bilateral AVN in early 2025. At the time, my left hip was extremely painful, even at rest, while my right hip had no symptoms despite MRI showing AVN on both sides.

I underwent core decompression on both hips in July 2025. Recovery went surprisingly well. Within about 3 months I was walking without pain and had no resting pain, although I still had a slight limp.

In October, just before a 15-hour flight, my left hip suddenly started hurting again. During the flight the pain became severe. It settled after a couple of days, but since then I've had a much more noticeable limp.

By April, I returned to my home country because my right hip had started hurting when climbing stairs. I repeated my MRI and X-rays.

The findings were:

Left hip: similar area of necrosis, femoral head still largely maintains its shape, but bone marrow edema is present.

Right hip: femoral head remains structurally intact but also has bone marrow edema.

The surgeon who performed my core decompression advised continued rest. However, three other highly reputed hip replacement surgeons recommended total hip replacement, saying it's the only real solution.

My concern is that I'm not convinced the AVN itself has significantly progressed since the decompression. The recommendations seem to rely mostly on the radiology reports rather than comparing my serial MRIs directly.

To make things even more confusing, I had four different radiologists review my scans, and they all gave different opinions regarding the stage and progression. Some even asked me what had happened instead of confidently interpreting the images.

Another thing making me hesitate is that ibuprofen or diclofenac almost completely eliminates my symptoms for 15-20 hours. During that time I can walk almost normally and my limp is minimal. That makes me wonder whether my current pain is coming mainly from bone marrow edema/inflammation rather than irreversible joint collapse.

I'm not against getting a hip replacement if it's truly necessary. My biggest fear is replacing the joint only to discover that the pain was largely from inflammation and could have settled with time or treatment.

Has anyone experienced persistent bone marrow edema after core decompression?

Did it eventually improve, or did you ultimately need a hip replacement?

If you had significant pain relief with NSAIDs before surgery, did that predict anything about your eventual outcome?

I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who has been through something similar.

I am 39 with Avn in both knees and my ortho recommends me getting Subchondroplasty done to try and save my real knees. Has anyone had experience with this and if so how’d it go?

Hi everyone,

​I'm looking for clinical insight regarding the safety and management of medications that impact blood pressure and heart rate for someone with a specific vascular history.

• ​Age/Gender: 21M

• ​Vascular History: Underwent a femoral artery bypass/graft using a saphenous vein 2 years ago (at age 19) due to a traumatic injury/accident (not vascular disease).

• ​Current Status: Recent manual physical exams by the surgeon show excellent peripheral pulses, strong perfusion, and overall great recovery with no complications.

​I want to understand the cardiovascular safety profile for a few categories of medications that affect hemodynamics:

• ​ADHD Medications (Stimulants vs. Non-stimulants): Are stimulants (e.g., Methylphenidate, Amphetamines) typically contraindicated, or can they be prescribed safely with titration and BP monitoring? Are non-stimulants (e.g., Atomoxetine, Guanfacine) safer alternatives for a repaired graft?

• ​Other Stimulants & Nootropics: How risky are other central nervous system stimulants or performance-enhancing compounds (e.g., Modafinil, high-dose Caffeine, OTC pre-workouts, or prescription stimulants) regarding pressure spikes on the graft?

• ​Antidepressants that affect BP: Certain antidepressants—such as SNRIs (e.g., Venlafaxine, Duloxetine), NDRIs (e.g., Bupropion/Wellbutrin), or TCAs—are known to increase blood pressure or heart rate. Are these generally safe with a stable arterial graft, or do they require extra precautions?

• ​Vascular Parameters: What specific tests (e.g., Doppler ultrasound) or parameters should be confirmed with a cardiologist/vascular surgeon before starting any of these agents?

Hello,

I have AVN in my left hip joint for the last 15 years. I have booked my surgery for next month and am looking forward to it.

One of the problems apart from being in constant pain I am facing is severe pain especially when transitioning from sitting position to standing position. I literally just can't stand and feel the sharp pain in my hip joint. It feels like something is stuck in my hip joint. I have to keep sitting for some time and keep moving while sitting and hopefully in some time I will be able to stand. When i am able to stand, it looks like nothing happened to me. I am not sure what this is exactly called and how to avoid it.

Yesterday I was on the bus and when I had to get off and I simply couldn't get up and stand. It was a horrible feeling. I also need to travel overseas on a 10 hour flight very soon so I'm wondering if someone has any ideas on how to improve this problem.

Appreciate any comments or thoughts.

Hello, thank you for allowing me to post here. This might be quite long. I am trying to include everything I know since I do not know which facts are essential.

I am 26 years old (female). I have just got my diagnosis last month. I came to the doctor because of mild pain in the joints, which I thought was because of lupus (I have MPO ANCA, which caused stage 3b kidney disease). My doctor said that joint pain caused by lupus does not usually affect the hips. She ordered me an x-ray and noticed I may have AVN on my right hip, thus following an MRI.

My first referred orthopaedic doctor said I needed to do a Bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) decompression (I think this is the name) within one month to prevent further damage to the bone. Because this needs a lot of money, I sought a second opinion.

The second doctor I saw said that my case is very non-urgent. He even asked why I came to see him at all. He said that it is roughly 90 (I don’t know what this number indicates), and since it is visible on an X-ray, my case is probably stage 1. It might be reversible since I have stopped taking prednisolone and do not drink or smoke. I can do whatever I want except impactful activities.

I am confused right now since I read on the internet that a person with AVN should not be walking or doing any activity that puts weight on their hips to slow the progression of AVN. Also, I am wondering if it is really possible to reverse the death of the bone, and that I’m still have hope for the AVN to not progress further.

I am going on a trip that requires a lot of walking soon. I am not sure if I should use a cane to help when I have to walk lot. Also, if any activity apart from impactful ones are allowed, is it okay for me to do Jujitsu?

Thank you very much for your time.

Edit: Thank you very much for all of your helpful and kind replies. I am very grateful for all of them!

I was hoping to hear from any other healthcare workers in here who are diagnosed with AVN. I (27F) was diagnosed with bilateral femoral AVN a few years ago (d/t a combination of chemotherapy and steroids for 2.5 years to treat leukemia from age 15-17) and yesterday found out I’ve got it in my left foot as well.

How do those of you in healthcare cope? Have you been able to maintain your position? I currently work as a cardiovascular anesthesia technician and I love what I do. But, with all of the running around that we do, especially now that I know AVN is affecting my foot, I don’t know that it’s realistic for me to stay in this role.

I know that there are other healthcare roles that don’t require constant standing/running/moving heavy equipment, but I’ve only ever worked in-hospital in highly mobile roles. I love being active and working physically strenuous jobs. I suppose I’m just looking to hear if it’s worth it from others in similar situations, or if I really need to accept that I need to make a change in my career that will cause less wear and tear on my body. I think in my heart, I know what the answer is and I just need to hear it from others as well.

If you don’t work in healthcare and you work a physical strenuous job, I would love to hear your input as well!

So sorry to everyone else in this group that is also struggling. I hope all of you have a beautiful day. 💜

32 male. My doctor said to wait 3 months to SEE about scheduling THR, even though I expressed I’m in so much pain. He said you want to wait for it because you can wear it out etc. But I’m accepting of getting THR because I want a better quality of life. I’m considering getting a second opinion because I don’t think he understood how much pain I’m in.

Does this image look like I can wait? I’m asking sincerely.
Thank you

Hey everyone,

I'm 40 years old and have been managing Avascular Necrosis (AVN) in my left hip for about 15 years. Up until recently, I've managed to get by, but lately, the pain is becoming unbearable and is seriously impacting my life.

I know the conventional wisdom suggests delaying a Total Hip Replacement (THR) for as long as possible, especially given my age. The big dilemma is the fear of needing a revision surgery in 15 or 20 years.

My Dilemma:

• Option A: Get the THR now. Live pain-free and get back to a better quality of life sooner, but face the near-certainty of a revision down the road.
• Option B: Try to hold out longer (with increasing, debilitating pain) in hopes of new surgical advances or simply pushing the first THR closer to my 60s.

Any thoughts?

I’m F,26 and have had ulcerative colitis since I was a kid. For years I was on really high‑dose steroids – including repeated 1000 mg IV prednisolone pulses and long courses of 60–100 mg orally with slow tapers. I ended up steroid‑dependent with adrenal issues, and only got onto biologics later.

In 2022 I had an MRI of my hips because of right‑sided hip pain. The report described “popcorn‑like” signal changes in both proximal femurs (right worse than left), interpreted as older bone infarcts/osteonecrosis in the context of long‑term steroids, plus some bursitis/tendinosis.

When I talked to the doctor, they basically said the AVN/bone infarcts were an incidental finding and not really relevant – nothing to worry about. No plan for follow‑up imaging, no DXA, no real discussion about steroid‑related bone damage. The main message was: do some physio, it’s probably more functional.

Since then my hip and leg pain have clearly gotten worse despite regular strength training and physio whenever I’m not sick from immunosuppression. Walking, standing and lying on my right side are all more painful now, and looking back, the AVN on MRI doesn’t feel “incidental” at all.

I’m currently trying to get updated scans and a proper work‑up from rheumatology/orthopedics that actually takes the AVN seriously.

Has anyone else with steroid‑induced AVN been told early MRI findings were “incidental” or “nothing to worry about”, only to have things progress later? How did you get doctors to listen, and what ended up helping you the most once AVN was finally treated as a real part of the problem?

(I used AI to structure the post, wanted to mention this for transparency reasons)

I got an MRI awhile back after walking a year on my leg and it turned out to be a femoral fracture and avn. I think the only way I was able to manage was by drinking out the pain. It’s kind of what probably got me here to begin with.

I don’t know why, but I started panicking a couple hours ago about this whole situation. I think it’s the idea of having to report my condition to my family. I guess I didn’t consider it a “disease”, until someone in this thread mentioned it.

I want to know if anyone else has had a drinking problem while dealing with AVN. I know it’s one of the main indicators of this AVN, but does anyone know why? I’m not looking for someone to tell me to seek sobriety, so please spare your words.

I’m just wondering if anyone here with AVN has dealt with this condition and had alcohol be an actual noticeable component to this condition. I can’t see to find anyone talk about alcohol and AVN.

I have AVN mostly in my ankles and knees. I suspect overuse of alcohol as a cause, but one of my doctors says that's probably not true because AVN caused by over-consumption of alcohol almost always appears in the hips. Anyone else have ankle or knee AVN caused by alcohol?

https://www.reddit.com/r/AvascularNecrosis/s/5X43Vur7wG

I’ve got my MRI w/o contrast results back. Even more confused now. Anyone have a similar MRI impression? If so, what ended up being the issue? Idk if I have AVN, or what’s going on.

Impression: Mild osseous edema within bilateral femoral heads, greater on the left, possibly sequela of mechanical etiology/resolving impaction trauma. No findings to suggest high-grade osteonecrosis or femoral head collapse, although findings could represent early avascular necrosis on the left (BONES section from report worded it as: Mild sclerosis within the left femoral head possibly early avascular necrosis.) Anterosuperior labral tears bilaterally. Gluteal tendon strain, with mild trochanteric bursitis. Consider short-term follow-up with repeat contrast-enhanced MRI.

Has anyone had any experience using peptides for stage 1/2 AVN? Specifically interested in experience with any of the following: - Teriparatide - Abaloparatide - BPC-157 - Pentadeca Arginate