Osteonecrosis is a disease that occurs when blood flow to the bones is restricted. The low blood flow will eventually lead to the death and deterioration of the bone area that is lacking in blood supply. As an example, osteonecrosis of the hip is diagnosed as the cause of joint displacement in 10% of all hip replacement cases.
About 20,000 new cases of osteonecrosis are diagnosed in the United States every year. Most of those diagnoses are made in patients who are in their thirties. Osteonecrosis can be brought on by traumatic or non-traumatic causes. The cases involving trauma develop as the result of severe fractures or dislocated joints that do not heal with proper blood circulation restored.
Non-Traumatic Osteonecrosis
Non-traumatic osteonecrosis may be caused by a number of factors. It has been linked to diseases that are known to block or restrict blood supply in some fashion; included in this category are kidney disorders, alcoholism, smoking, or lupus. In some cases osteonecrosis has been caused by extended treatment with high levels of corticosteroids, a group of drugs that are used to treat a wide range of health problems including inflammation, irritable bowel disorder, and skin problems.
Osteonecrosis and Biophosphonate Drugs
Non-traumatic osteonecrosis has also been linked to a group of medications called biophosphonates. These drugs are used to treat osteoporosis and other bone diseases. One of them, Fosamax, has been linked to several cases of osteonecrosis of the jaw, or ONJ. This loss of bone in the jaw can lead to severe dental problems and gum infections along with the pain and dysfunction in the jaw joints. Other Fosamax users have reported problems with hip and knee joints that have been severe enough to require canes and in severe cases, wheelchairs.
The developer of Fosamax, Merck Laboratories, was sued in 2006 over their alleged failure to alert consumers to its dangers. Another biophosphonate that has come under scrutiny is Aredia, a medication manufactured by Novartis used to treat cancer, osteoporosis and myeloma. It is a bone-strengthening medication that is meant to contribute to bone density. Novartis also manufactures and markets Zometa, a palliative medication for the treatment of patients with advanced bone cancer. Both medications have been linked to osteonecrosis of the jaw.
Fosamax, Aredia and Zometa Lawsuits
The reports of the linkage between biophosphonates and ONJ have been consistent for several years. In 2004 the FDA issued a warning about the use of biophosphonates and the development of INJ, as did Novartis. Nevertheless Fosamax, Aredia and Zometa are all still on the market and are all currently the subject of litigation brought by patients who have developed osteonecrosis after using one of the medications.
If you or a member of your family has been treated for bone density problems and has developed pain in the jaw or in other joints you should be in touch with a law firm that is experienced in biophosphonate lawsuits. Fill out the brief form on this page and one of our attorneys will be in touch with you in order to review your case.
