A Patient From Finland with Hip AVN
A patient from Finland consulted Dennis M. Lox, MD, for hip avascular necrosis (AVN). The presumed etiology was unknown. The Finland patient was interested in stem cell therapy as an option for hip avascular necrosis (AVN). Dennis M. Lox, MD, an expert in Sports and Regenerative Medicine, and the use of stem cell therapy for the treatment of hip avascular necrosis (AVN), is frequently consulted from around the world on avascular necrosis (AVN). Stem cell therapy for AVN is considered in some cases to be a viable option for AVN. AVN treatment options are limited, and recommendations for hip joint replacement surgery are often given. Hip replacement is especially undesirable in young patients and athletes. Young patients with Hip AVN face a limited lifespan of the hip prosthesis. This necessitates a hip revision while the patient is still young, leading to the possibility of eventually hip fusion. Hip AVN may often be seen in both hips. The future prospect of having both hips fused makes walking extremely difficult and predisposes to associated accelerated joint wear of the knees, spine, ankles, and feet.
Athletes with avascular necrosis (AVN) may never play their chosen sport again if they undergo hip joint replacement. This occurred to the legendary professional Football and Baseball player Bo Jackson. After being tackled in a football game, Bo Jackson injured his hip. Initially, it was felt to be a minor injury. Only later was Bo Jackson found to have hip AVN. Eventually, Bo Jackson had a hip replacement. Bo Jackson never played professional football again. Bo Jackson, however, did play a season of professional baseball after his hip replacement. Stem cell therapy was not available during Bo Jackson’s career as it is today, yet often AVN is not readily diagnosed especially in contact sports where pain and trauma are common. AVN, fortunately, is rare in professional sports, however, AVN must always be considered when healing does not take place quickly, or an early AVN diagnosis may be missed.
The patient from Finland was very scientific oriented and asked excellent questions concerning avascular necrosis, Regenerative Medicine and stem cell therapy. There are cases where the hip joint has been destroyed by joint collapse to a point where stem cell therapy can longer reverse this destructive damage. Early and prompt diagnosis and evaluation by a specialist such as Dennis M. Lox, MD, are critical. Stem cell therapy for hip or other types of AVN may be an option to consider. Dennis M. Lox, MD, evaluates and treats patients in Tampa Bay, Florida and Beverly Hills, California.
If you’re in pain or had an injury and are looking for an alternative to surgery, contact us immediately at one of our locations. Our Main Medical Center located in Tampa Bay, Florida (727) 462-5582 or at Beverly Hills, California (310) 975-7033.
