Non-Profit Osteonecrosis Resource Center Launches Avascular Necrosis Web Site and Research Portal

Windham, NH, April 12, 2009 --(PR.com)-- The Osteonecrosis Resource Center is a newly-formed non-profit corporation (501c filing in progress) with the mission and intent of advancing education and research into the disease Osteonecrosis, also known as Avascular Necrosis (commonly referred to as AVN). The Osteonecrosis Resource Center's primary vehicle is the free community-driven Web portal, Avascular Necrosis Resources, located on-line at www.avnresources.org. The Web portal provides a comprehensive library of educational and support resources to aid AVN patients in learning how to better understand and live with the disease.

The Web portal aims to be a single entry point to all things an Avascular Necrosis patient may be interested in, ranging from current world news topics relevant to AVN patients, reports about side-effects of commonly-prescribed medications, and user reviews of products that a patient might need (for instance, which types of ice packs might best soothe painful knees). Staff writers publish insightful original content and patient-centric educational reference material. A great deal of the content is user-submitted and community maintained (following the model of such Web sites such as Wikipedia). In addition, there is a discussion forum section of the site where patients may share their experiences and ask questions of other members of the community. In summary, AVNResources.org is a great place to learn about AVN and how to better live with the disease.

A second focus of the non-profit corporation Osteonecrosis Resource Center is the goal to become the largest community-driven AVN research hub in the world. To accomplish this goal, the Web site offers researchers and doctors a way to directly interact with AVN patients and track their progress over time by publishing on-line questionnaires and polls. Due to the nature of the Web site's technical framework, all collected patient information is kept completely private and anonymous. However, internally, the site is able to relate questionnaires and polls collected over time back to the same individual.

Patients will benefit from this site's research capacity as well, because the research participation features of the site provide patients with a vehicle to actively contribute and “do something to help.” By actively participating in these research projects, the hope is that many patients will feel a little less like passive victims to a crippling disease and more in control of their present condition as well as their futures. Patients who get involved with the research and data collection made available on the site are actively helping the medical community to better understand the disease and how to better treat patients. Most of all, the hope is that information collected might even lead a step closer to a cure.

To help launch the portal, Avascular Necrosis Resources has just completed an interview with world-renowned foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon, Dr. James K. DeOrio. Staff writers worked with Dr. DeOrio to create one of the most thorough patient-centric articles about what seems to be a little-known condition. The article, “Avascular Necrosis of the Talus,” addresses in-depth what patients with AVN of the talus (a primary support bone of the ankle and foot) should expect, as well as discusses recent advances in treatment options.

New content will be released several times a week to help the budding Web portal grow and pick up steam. Avascular Necrosis patients, family, and friends can become members using the web site's automated membership registration system. Doctors and researchers may use the web site's contact form to request additional information about publishing on-line studies.

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