Avascular Necrosis of the Hip and Knee: Treatment with Stem Cells
Avascular Necrosis (AVN) or osteonecrosis is a troubling medical condition. It literal means the bone (osteo) is dying (necrosis). This is a simplified explanation in that only a portion of the bone is becoming necrotic. The bone loses it’s blood supply and begins to decay. This ischemic area is similar to heart tissue that loses blood supply during a heart attack, except unlike cardiac tissue that fills with scarred tissue bone decays and the surrounding areas may degenerate quickly or collapse.
Regenerative Medicine has been incorporated into the treatment of Avascular Necrosis (AVN) or osteonecrosis with the use of Stem Cell Therapy. Stem cells are used to repair and regenerate tissue. By directly placing the patients own stem cells into the avascular necrotic region an attempt to repair and restore the function of the bone can be achieved. This is ideally suited for early in the course of detection of avascular necrosis before significant bone collapse occurs. Stem Cell Therapy may be an alternative to hip and knee joint replacement. Patients often wish to defer surgery if possible as maintaining joint function and ability to participate in sports is often desired in patients with hip and knee pain who are diagnosed with avascular necrosis. Other surgical alternatives to hip and knee replacement are also invasive such as micro fracture and vascular grafts. The periods of immobility and non-weight bearing for hip and knee AVN treated with these surgical procedures offer Stem Cell Therapy as an alternative treatment with minimal functional level loss.
Rehabilitation following Stem Cell Therapy for Avascular Necrosis can begin immediately with a physician supervised program modified for individual patient end goals. These goals are functional level oriented and accommodate sport specific goals with emphasis on repair and maintaining highest long term functional levels. Dr. Lox has treated athletes with Avascular Necrosis over a long period successfully. General fitness and body strength and conditioning are emphasized initially.
Incorporating recent medical advances in Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Therapy may be utilized as a viable option in Avascular Necrosis. This is a decision that is made in consultation with Dr. Lox, taking into account all factors concerning severity of condition, duration of symptoms and patient goals. These factors may be determined to be an alternative to hip and knee joint replacement.
Dennis M. Lox, MD, serves patients in the greater Tampa Bay area and Beverly Hills, California.
Contact either office today to schedule an appointment!
Tampa Bay, Florida 727-462-5582
Beverly Hills, California 310-975-7033