A RARE CAUSE OF RADICULOPATHY: FEMORAL HEAD AVASCULAR NECROSIS

Insufficient blood flow to the proximal femur causes osteonecrosis of the femoral head, which is known as femoral head avascular necrosis (AVN). The underlying pathogenesis is unclear, risk factors are likely to influence microcirculation somewhat, but this has not been confirmed by research. In more than 75% of cases, avascular necrosis affects the femoral head. Methods: From August 2019 to March 2022, 4 patients with FBAN were analyzed retrospectively. The findings seen in the hip MRI radiographs of the patients were reported radiologically as FBAN. It was staged with the Ficat and Arlet classifications. Visual analog scale (VAS) was used in the current clinics of the patients. Results: Patients with severe back, hip, and leg pain whose clinic and radiology do not match with lumbar pathology should plan a hip MRI. Because of this, it may be misleading for people with severe radiculopathy, and this radiculopathy may not even be real. The pain is really coming from the hip, but it is often felt in the lumbosacral region and the buttocks. This makes it easy to make the wrong diagnosis.