Avascular Necrosis of the Hip in a Runner
Avascular Necrosis (AVN) or osteonecrosis, may result from trauma, be idiopathic (unknown cause) or from a variety of other factors. Avascular Necrosis (AVN) is the result of disruption of blood flow (avascular or ischemic) to the bone, which results in bone cell death (necrosis). Athletes who develop AVN may develop joint collapse, and in the hip this may be career ending.
This was the case with Bo Jackson the elite football and baseball star. A tackle after a spectacular run injured his hip. It was initially felt to be a simple strain, yet delay in diagnosis of AVN resulted in his need for a total hip replacement and his football career was ended. Bo Jackson did play another baseball season then retired. Bo Jackson was not fortunate to be in the stem cell era.
Today athletes who are diagnosed early with AVN may be treated with stem cell therapy and it has been shown in cases to treat successfully AVN.
A runner with hip AVN consulted Dennis M. Lox, MD, for treatment of his hip AVN.
Though degeneration of his hip had already set in, he was treated with Stem Cell Therapy and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP). He successfully returned to running and remains under Dr. Lox’s care. Dr. Lox feels that it may be possible be avoid the outcome that Bo Jackson had, which is to avoid total hip replacement if early care is obtained.
There is never certainty in medicine, yet using state of the art regenerative medicine such as stem cell therapy may improve successful treatment.