The ON/AVN Support Group Int'l Association, Inc.
Box 118  -  8500 Henry Ave.
Philadelphia, PA  19128

Email:   avninfo@avnsupport.org

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He might also have called it “Osteonecrosis”, or “Avascular necrosis.” Both terms mean the same thing: your
joints or bones are dying. If you are like most of us, a very unsettling type of panic begins to set in. It is
almost too much to take in all at once and for the very first time.

How can something inside of our bodies die? It happens more often than you may think. When a person has
a severe heart attack, a portion of the heart muscle dies due to a lack of blood flow. When a person has
cancer, a tumor can cause lack of blood flow to surrounding tissues, causing necrosis, or causing those
once healthy tissues to die.

And, so it is with our precious joints and bones. Something has occurred to cause a hip, or knee, or other
joint to suffer a lack of blood supply and so it begins to die. The problem with AVN is that all too often it has
been going on for quite some time by the time pain is first felt. Unlike the heart, there are no warning signs
for our bones until the damage is enough to begin causing painful symptoms.










You are most likely feeling very confused, very unsure of what to do next. Just trying to understand what is
happening to you takes a lot of mental and emotional effort. To make matters worse, more than likely no
one around you has ever heard of it before, either. This tends to make us AVN’ers feel somewhat isolated
because what we have is so unusual, so very much different from most other illnesses that it’s hard to get
this concept across to family and friends. Almost always, a kind of depression begins to take hold as well. It’s
not easy having something rare and unusual, and it definitely is not easy coping with bone pain that is
second only to the pain from bone cancer.  Fortunately for us, this is not bone cancer…but the pain is very
similar.  Some people are affected with just a very small 'necrotic spot', as one person wrote and told me,
and as her doctor told her it is possible for  such a small area of AVN to reverse itself; so, our
Website/Association is more geared for those whose AVN does not go away, which, I am sad to say,  seems
to be far more often the case.


When I was first diagnosed 14 years ago, there was nothing at all on the Web for me to turn to for advice or
knowledge, or much less for emotional support! I felt totally alone, set apart from everyone I knew and no
one’s words were of any help to me whatsoever. How could they be? Even I didn’t fully understand what was
happening to me; how could anyone else around me understand?  So, I went on a quest to find some others
with AVN, and that is how this organization got its beginning.


Today, our association numbers close to 2,000 members, and our chat and info group on Yahoo has more
than 1,700. Believe me when I tell you that this is one disease that really calls for a good support system!
Our dynamic chat and info group on Yahoo has been a tremendous help to thousands of people over the
past seven years, and three years before that on AOL. If you want someone to understand what it is that
you are feeling and are undergoing, you need to come join our group. Our level of compassion and
understanding is surpassed by nothing and no one else. Right now, there are over 46,000 messages/past
posts to browse through and read, if that is what you’d like to do! Additionally, there are far more than 120
pages of other fine Website links, files, and database items at our members’ disposal. We have taken the
time to look up hundreds of quality Websites for everyone’s use, dealing with  topics related to AVN as well
as non-AVN related items.  Of course, we also have real-time chats! You can 'talk' with others twice a week
who also have AVN. Our members love these chats!

IMPORTANT UPDATE: In just a few weeks, we are moving out of our Yahoo home, and moving
INTO our brand new, 'all in one' site! You will be able to meet and join with our vast family of
members, and to view all of our past messages as well. Please view the article at our Group
News page by clicking here.


If you have AVN, then you have found the right group, indeed. If you are looking for knowledge, comfort, or
support, you need to join us. You must first join our Association, then register with Yahoo and finally, you will
be sent a personal invitation to join us at our Yahoo chat and info site. There are no costs or fees at this
time, and we are a totally volunteer organization. However, your kind and thoughtful donations towards our
research project would be very deeply appreciated. This is the association that is for AVN patients by AVN
patients, the only one of its kind in the world. You are more than welcome to join us, and so are your loved
ones. Although we are sorry to hear you have AVN, we look forward to seeing you!
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 For more info, email us  
AVNinfo@avnsupport.org
Disclaimer:

The web pages and message boards at our site are for informational and entertainment purposes only. Material placed on any page or
message board does not necessarily reflect the views of Osteonecrosis / Avascular Necrosis Support Group International Association, Inc.
(“ON/AVN SGIA, Inc.”).  The information on our site is provided with the understanding that we are not engaged in rendering medical or
professional medical services or advice.

We assume no responsibility for any choices that you may make for your own medical care. Information included in a message board should
not replace necessary medical consultations with a qualified health or medical professional to meet your individual health or medical
needs, or those of your loved ones.  What we share here on our site is from members’ experiences and personal opinions only and is not to
be used as a substitute or to replace your own doctors’ medical advice. You are urged to consult with and to abide by your own doctor(s)
medical advice.  We do not verify the information placed on any message board on our site and, therefore, cannot verify or judge the merits
or lack thereof, of any information, suggestions, ideas, opinions, or advice.

Neither ON/AVN SGIA, Inc. nor any ON/AVN SGIA, Inc. agents or representatives make any representations with respect to the contents
hereof and specifically disclaim any implied or express warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular usage, application or
purpose.  

On our site, we prefer to base our message board discussions on only FDA approved treatments, medications, procedures, medical
guidelines, etc.  If a treatment, medicine, procedure or medical modality is not FDA approved then we ask you to please find another
resource where you may discuss same.    

Materials copyrighted by ON/AVN SGIA, Inc., may be downloaded for personal use only.

By accessing our site, you agree to hold ON/AVN SGIA, Inc., its assignees, licensees, owners, officers and directors harmless from any
loss, claim or damage arising from your use of any of the information and ideas contained on the site, including following suggestions or
advice posted on the message boards/web pages.
Introductory page:  Who we are

The ON/AVN Support Group Int'l Association, Inc.
                      Osteonecrosis - Avascular necrosis support                  

     Looking for support? You've found it!
Note: To translate this page into another language, please return to our home page and click on the Babel
Fish link, bottom of home page.

Now, this has happened to you; but fortunately for you,
you have found your way to us.

OK, so your doctor just told you that you have AVN.  
First, take a few deep breaths...