Ankle AVN and Regenerative Medicine Therapy For Athletes and Sports Injuries

Dennis M. Lox, M.D, a Sports and Regenerative Medicine expert, has treated numerous athletes with ankle avascular necrosis (AVN) from a variety of different sports. Ankle AVN may not only be in one of the joints, but the other bones of the foot, primarily the Talus bone, or in the Navicular bones, the Metatarsal bones, and even the Sesamoid bone. Avascular Necrosis (AVN) can occur following trauma in sports injuries. AVN occurs when the blood supply to a region of bone is disrupted which leads to an area of bone cell death or necrosis.

Being Diagnosed with AVN of the Ankle

After the diagnosis of AVN, it is very important to understand the diagnosis correctly, because the area of necrosis can collapse, resulting in a rapid secondary degenerative arthritis. This joint destruction often leads to recommendations for ankle fusion or joint replacement.

The most common phenomenon is that injuries and fractures of the talus leads to the development of AVN.

Ankle Replacement

Ankle replacement is typically not as successful as hip or knee joint replacement, and therefore carries more risk for failure. Ankle fusion leads to abnormal gait and wearing which can lead to early arthritis of other joints. Stem cell therapy for ankle AVN has been used successfully over the years. Dr. Lox has treated many different types of ankle AVN, whether it was an athlete with a sports injury such as a ballerina, a martial artist and soccer players. An injury and or diagnosis such as AVN can end a career. Dr. Lox has successfully treated these athletes with ankle Avascular Necrosis or AVN. Alternatives to surgery are often desired in athletes with sports injuries, as long term consequences to surgery are becoming more apparent. Dr. Lox is an expert in the evaluation and treatment of AVN in athletes and the use of Stem Cell Therapy.