What is avascular necrosis?

What is avascular necrosis?

Avascular necrosis happens when something blocks the flow of blood to your bone tissue. Your bones are constantly changing as your skeletal system makes new bone tissue to replace aging bone tissue that eventually breaks down and dies.

Think of this as a cycle — your body makes new tissue to replace the tissue that’s breaking down and dying. This pattern needs to happen correctly to keep your bones healthy and strong. Blood carries the nutrients and oxygen bones need to stay healthy and regenerate. Without blood flow, your skeletal system can't make new bone tissue fast enough. The dying bone begins to crumble and eventually collapses.