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This
radiograph of the left hip joint reveals a thin, curved
lucency parallel to the cortical margin. With interruption
of the blood supply, cell death in the bone occurs
and insufficiency fractures may ensue. Fractures that
occur in the subchondral bone may be recognized by
a crescentic lucent zone that separates the fragment
from the remainder of the femur.
Avascular
necrosis of the femoral head often presents as groin
pain that can also intermittently radiate down the
thigh. For some patients, pain can start suddenly
and severely, but for other patients, the initial
insult can be relatively asymptomatic. Most will develop
mechanical pain as the femoral head collapses.
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