Avascular Necrosis (AVN) of The Hip: An Unusual Presentation Treated with Stem Cells
Dr. Dennis Lox an expert in Sports and Regenerative Medicine treats a lot of complicated problems including AVN Avascular Necrosis (AVN) or Osteonecrosis is a disorder in which the blood supply to the bone is disrupted leading to bone cell death (necrosis). Trauma is the leading cause of unilateral hip AVN. However, excessive corticosteroid administration, especially intravenous administration, is a known risk factor. The usual presentation is the femoral head (hip bone), this may be confined to one or both hips if systemic causes such as excessive corticosteroid use are involved.
However, localization to the ankles as the presenting feature does occur. This case was significant, in that the distal tibia, talus, and navicular showed involvement bilateral as the presenting feature. The patient was recommended for bilateral ankle fusions. She consulted Dr. Lox regarding stem cell therapy and was felt a candidate due to the lack of joint collapse and secondary advanced osteoarthritis. The orthopedic recommendations of bilateral ankle fusion were unacceptable to the patient. She did extremely well post ankle stem cell therapy with Dr. Lox. She is no longer using a cane or walker. She was very pleased with her results, until 13 months later, she began experiencing hip pain. A routine MRI revealed bilateral femoral head AVN.
This presentation without further corticosteroid administration has to our knowledge not been reported in the literature. Due to the fact that her hip AVN was caught in a timely fashion and treated early with Stem Cell Therapy, it is hoped that she will have the same results with her hips as she did with her ankles – avoiding joint collapse and major surgery. Avascular necrosis may occur in any joint. It is important to consider multi-joint involvement. This most often is both hips but may involve a hip and a knee. To our knowledge, bilateral ankle involvement followed by 13 months bilateral hip (femoral head) involvement has not been reported.
Dennis M. Lox, MD, serves patients in the greater Tampa Bay area, including, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa, New Port Richey, Sarasota, Orlando, and Spring Hill and can accommodate the needs of patients throughout Florida, the United States, the Western Hemisphere, and Europe, as well. To learn more about stem cell therapy and other regenerative services offered by Dr. Lox, call (727) 462-5582.
