bone, joint, and muscle disorders
Osteonecrosis
Diagnosis of Osteonecrosis
X-rays Magnetic resonance imaging Because osteonecrosis is often painless at first, it may not be diagnosed in its earliest stages. Doctors suspect osteonecrosis in people who do not improve satisfactorily after having certain fractures. They also suspect the disorder in people who develop unexplained pain in the hip, knee, or shoulder, particularly if these people have risk factors for osteonecrosis. X-Rays of the affected area usually show osteonecrosis unless the disorder is in its earliest stages. If x-rays appear normal, however, Blood tests may be done to detect an underlying disorder (such as a blood-clotting disorder). 