Osteonecrosis causes (mnemonic)

Mnemonics for the causes of osteonecrosis (previously known as avascular necrosis):

• STARS

• PLASTIC RAGS

• ASEPTIC

Mnemonics

STARS

Most common causes:

• S: steroids, SLE

• T: trauma (e.g. femoral neck fracture, hip dislocation, scaphoid fracture, slipped capital femoral epiphysis ²)

• A: alcohol excess (chronic)

• R: radiation, rheumatoid arthritis, renal failure

• S: sickle cell disease

PLASTIC RAGS

• P: pancreatitis, pregnancy 

• L: lupus (SLE)

• A: alcohol excess (chronic)

• S: steroids

• T: trauma

• I: idiopathic, infection

• C: caisson disease, collagen vascular disease

• R: radiation, rheumatoid arthritis

• A: amyloid arthropathy

• G: Gaucher disease   

• S: sickle cell disease

ASEPTIC

• A: alcohol excess (chronic)

• S: sickle cell disease/SLE

• E: exogenous steroid

• P: pancreatitis

• T: trauma

• I: infection

• C: caisson disease