Orange County Avascular Necrosis Specialist
When your hip aches at night and nothing you’ve tried has helped, the problem may run deeper than muscle or tendon.
Avascular necrosis (also called osteonecrosis) occurs when the blood supply to the hip bone is reduced or cut off. Without it, bone tissue deteriorates. The femoral head can weaken and eventually collapse.
Dr. Brett Shore is one of the only comprehensive hip specialists in Southern California. He treats avascular necrosis at every stage at his clinics in Newport Beach and Marina del Rey.
15+
Years Treating Hip Conditions
11
Years as Chief of Hip Preservation at Kaiser SoCal
5
Rating Across 100+ Patient Reviews
Imaging review that locates the damaged tissue
Conservative care, injections, and surgery available
Recovery plans paced around your goals and routine
Rigorous Training, Exceptional Outcomes
Undergraduate Degree
Medical Degree
Orthopedic Residency
Sports Medicine Fellowship
Patient Reviews
What Is Avascular Necrosis?
Avascular necrosis happens when blood flow to the femoral head (the ball of the hip joint) is blocked or reduced.
Without an adequate blood supply, bone tissue begins to die. As the damage progresses, fractures develop within the bone. The femoral head can weaken enough to collapse entirely.
One of the difficulties with this condition is that it doesn’t always cause symptoms early. Many people don’t notice pain until the bone has already been compromised.
An accurate, early diagnosis is critical. Once the bone begins to collapse, the window for joint-preserving treatment narrows.
When to Seek Treatment for Avascular Necrosis
You may benefit from evaluation if:
Hip or groin pain has persisted for several weeks without improvement
Pain worsens with walking, standing, or weight-bearing activity
You experience stiffness or loss of range of motion in the hip
Discomfort occurs at rest or interrupts sleep
You have a history of steroid use, heavy alcohol use, or a prior hip injury
How Dr. Shore Treats Avascular Necrosis
Treatment depends on the stage of bone involvement, your symptoms, and your activity goals. Dr. Shore reviews your imaging and exam findings, then walks you through each option.
What Causes Avascular Necrosis?
Several factors can interrupt blood flow to the hip bone:
A hip fracture or dislocation that damages nearby blood vessels
Long-term corticosteroid use (such as prednisone for autoimmune conditions)
Heavy alcohol use sustained over many years
Fat deposits that block vessels within the bone
Radiation therapy for certain cancers
In roughly 25% of cases, the cause is never identified. Regardless of origin, the bone damage tends to progress without intervention.
Why Patients Trust Dr. Brett Shore
Dr. Shore brings over 15 years of hip-only clinical and surgical experience. He treats everything from early-stage labral tears to advanced joint collapse.
His background includes:
- 11 years leading Hip Preservation at Kaiser Southern California
- Training at Princeton, Columbia, and Harvard Orthopedics
- Surgical fellowship in Switzerland under Leunig, Beck, and Tannast
- Open hip preservation procedures for dysplasia, including periacetabular and femoral osteotomies
- Editorial Board Member for the Arthroscopy Journal and published researcher
Patients regularly cite his direct communication, realistic recovery timelines, and attentive follow-up.
How Early Diagnosis Can Protect Your Hip Joint
When avascular necrosis is identified before the joint collapses, treatment can:
- Relieve hip and groin pain
- Slow or halt further bone deterioration
- Preserve the natural hip joint
- Reduce the likelihood of needing total hip replacement
- Shorten overall recovery time
When the condition has already progressed, anterior hip replacement with a bikini incision offers a reliable route to
pain relief, restored mobility, and a faster return to daily activity.
Avascular Necrosis
Treatment in Los Angeles
Looking for a Los Angeles avascular necrosis specialist? Dr. Shore sees patients at his Marina del Rey clinic for evaluation, imaging review, and treatment planning.
The location provides convenient access for those living or working in Los Angeles who want hip treatment close to home.
Avascular Necrosis Treatment in Orange County
For patients in Orange County, Dr. Shore’s Newport Beach office offers the same expert care in a comfortable outpatient setting.
Patients have access to the full range of avascular necrosis services, from conservative management to hip replacement.
Hear From Our Patients