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Editor: Tim O'Brien
Profession: Attorney at Law

Category: Fosamax News

Osteonecrosis means "dead bone" and occurs when a bone dies from decreased blood loss.

Pain, both at rest and, in particular, with movement of the joint is the major symptom of osteonecrosis. Other symptoms include limitation of motion, joint stiffness and muscle spasms. Symptoms usually begin slowly. If the condition is left untreated, progressive bone damage (bone collapse) may occur, which can be associated with an increase in pain and loss of function of the joint. Surgery may be required to correct this damage.

Osteonecrosis can also be called avascular necrosis or ischemic necrosis and most often affects the bones of a joint, such as the knee, wrist, shoulder, elbow or jaw. The Osteoporosis drug Fosamax has been linked to osteonecrosis of the jaw, also known as dead jaw syndrome. Fosamax is a member of the bisphosphonates class of drugs which also includes Zometa and Aredia