Bone Problems: Overview Article Available

An overview of the growing problem of bone disease -- especially avascular necrosis (also called osteonecrosis, or aseptic necrosis), which is requiring an increasing number of hip replacements in persons who have had AIDS and been on HAART for many years, was published in the April 2002 issue of POZ ("Hip to the Future," by Anne-christine d'Adesky, page 28-31 and 39).

Avascular necrosis (which is different from osteopenia or osteoporosis, caused be loss of bone minerals) occurs when blood vessels that supply the bone constrict, cutting off blood supply and causing bone death. No one knows the cause, although there are many theories. The condition can be hard to diagnose early, and it is not known how many people are affected.

Finding the Article

Many AIDS service organizations and medical practices have copies of POZ, often available free or available for photocopying. Some newsstands may have copies.

Unfortunately the Web site does not have the last six months of issues online (it does have back issues older than six months). If you want to get the article before it is online and cannot find a copy locally, you can purchase the April 2002 POZ by calling 800-9-READPOZ (toll-free from the U.S.), or 815-734-4151 (from anywhere).

ISSN # 1052-4207

Copyright 2002 by John S. James. Permission granted for noncommercial reproduction, provided that our address and phone number are included if more than short quotations are used.