Large Bone Infarctions? Serious knee pain, Help?

[MommiChris]

Hi I recently recieved my mri from my knee, and im having alot of pain, cannot even bear weight on my knee. I am devastated, I thought it was a torn meniscus and so did My Orthopedic Surgeon. Well my mri says I have large bone infarcts on my medial femoral condyle, which extends to weight bearing surface with moderate bone marrow edema. A large bony infarct involving my tibial metaphysis with extension into the proximal diaphysis and bone infarcts in the lateral femoral condyle. I have mild degeneration of my meniscus and small joint effusion.Does anyone know how serious this is and if the pain is mostly relieved by surgery. In my searching the internet bone infarct is the same as osteonecrosis. Im very concerned, anyone know anything please help??
Thank you

[doc8404]

I have had Avascular necrosis and multifocal bone infarcts for years now. I to the AVN I have had a total hip replacement on the right and two posterior spinal fusions with rods and screws. I have has a wrist fusion on the left and a joint revision on the base of the left thumb at the wrist. I have multiple bone infarcts in bith femurs from the knee jionts up about 1/3 of both femur bones and infarcts in both tibial and fibula bone about 3 inches in length down both legs. I also have a lesion in my right upper arm (humerus).  I have AVN in my right wrist as well, now as of my last bone scan. So my point is that your body can with stand alot of bone desease and damage. Yes, it can and will be very painful, butthere are great drugs out there to halp with pain control. Make sure you find a good pain control program and pain specialist. The best ones are usually associated with University Medical Centers or major teaching hospitals andthey should beAnesthesiologist who have done a specialty in pain control. They know the best drugs and how the all work for the best results. Most PCPs don't have that extensive knowledge. I have been on extensive pain meds for years now and will be on them for the rest of my life. Yet I can go out and do most anything I wish within the limits of my deseased bones and joints allow me to do. Believe it or not..I still golf. Its the only sport I can still play. I will be seeing my hip surgeon soon to see about replacing my left hip. With the amount of morphine I take on a daily basis, I can feel pain again in my hip continuously again. That means it is probablytime to replace it. Hope all goes weel for you. The biggest thing is be very patient!!! It does take alot of time to heal and go through therapy after surgery.

[Bill032792]

I have been diag nosed with MULTIPLE distal femur  and proximal tibia and patellar bone infarctions

Mild Osteoarthritis

Partially ruptured baker's cyst

mederate volume jiont effusion


How serious are the MULTIPLE bone infarctions? Please gie it to me straight. What should I do next?

[MommiChris]

Thank you so much for the support, it means alot to me, and I cannot thank you all enough. It's hard for my family to swallow and ive done alot of research on avascular necrosis and printed some things for my family to read, to help them understand.It's hard being a single mom and explaining it to your kids, although they are 16 and 12, they still really dont understand fully, but I know they are concerned for me. I will continue to keep you all updated, as my test results come in, and when My surgery will be, I only hope this can help others dealing with this at a young age as well.
Hugs to you all and thank you
Christine

[Toomanyadvil]

Hi Mommychris

     I'm so glad you have faith in your DR. That can make all the difference when we are nervous and scared about what our diagnosis or condition means for us. I know how you feel about being too young to go through this. There have been so many times that I have felt sad about what my conditions mean for me at such a young age.
But acceptance is a process, dont feel you have to wake up tomorrow and be okay with everything. Take the time you need to work everything out and get all the answers you need. Were all here anytime you want to talk. It can really help.

TMA

[Tuckamore]

I've been waiting to see what the Doc told you. I'm glad that they are going to look for underlying causes of this event. I am very sorry that you have to under go such extensive surgey. It is very important and wonderful that you have faith in your Doc. That confidence makes a difference. And you have every right to be scared. Take care and I'll be thinking of you and hoping for the best. Tuck

[sandee1818]

I am so sorry your going through this and at such a young age. I am glad to see you have confidence in your DR as that is important. I really hope your further test come out good and you don't have anymore surprises ahead. Keep us posted and know we are here for you.

[MommiChris]

Hi there,

I did see my Dr. yesterday and the news wasn't good. I cried half the day yesterday but I am coming to terms with it now. I will have a partial knee replacement due to severe osteonecrosis of the right knee. I will also have metal plugs put in my tibia and femur, due to infarcted lesions. I am scared but I have confidence in my Dr. Im just too young to have something like this so I will be seeing my PC Dr. next week to see if there is an underlying disease process, such as diabetes, lupus, vascular abnormalities ect.
Thank you for your support it is greatly appreciated!!!
C

[Toomanyadvil]

I'm glad you'll be seeing your DR....Today!
Please let us know how it goes if your able. I hope you leave the DR's office feeling like they answered all your questions.

TMA

[MommiChris]

Thank you so much fr your help. Yes as ive researched the bone does break down faster than it can rebuilt, and often will spread to the hip when you have it in the knee, I will be seeing my Dr. on Tuesday, hopefully I will get some more questions answered. Thanks again!!
C

[Toomanyadvil]

Hi Mommiechris,

       I do know a little about osteonecrosis though dont know exactly what it leads to all the time. I think that it depends on how much of the bone is effected and what area it is in. Basically as I understand it osteonecroisis involves your bone breaking down faster than your body can rebuild it like would happen in a normal injury or during the groeth process.
Has your DR mentioned this diagnosis?
I take it you have been through alot of tests already.

If you feel like your DR isnt really giving you a straight enough answer or enough information maybe getting a seconf opinion would be of some benefit?
I think the longer osteonecrosis goes undiagnosed the more damaging it can do to your bone and joints.

I'm sure more people will come by who understand this a little better than I do and can give you a better indication of what your next step might be.

I hope you find the answers you need!

TMA