Avascular Necrosis (AVN) of the Knee in a Soccer Player

Avascular Necrosis (AVN) is difficult at best for most patients, for competitive athletes it may be career ending. Athletes with Avascular Necrosis (AVN) must have a stable joint that is not collapsing, and withstand the stress of athletic participation.

The knee is under great stress in soccer. A concern with AVN is also secondary degenerative arthritis that results from decay of the necrotic region of the bone.

A soccer player with Avascular Necrosis of the knee presented to Dr. Lox for Stem Cell Therapy. His presenting symptoms were pain, loss of complete motion, and inability to run. His goal was to avoid total knee joint replacement and return to playing soccer.

Stem Cell Therapy may be used in conjunction with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) to treat AVN. Case reports have reported success with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy alone, however from an experience and mechanistic standpoint, Dr. Lox feels that the use of PRP with Stem Cell Therapy offers inherent advantages that may be especially applicable to athletes desiring to repair, regenerate, and return to sports competition.

Having explained all scenarios, risks, benefits and expectations, treatment with regenerative therapy may be implemented. This case may not allow return to soccer due to the symptoms and radiographic findings.  The soccer player desired to proceed forward with Stem Cell Therapy and PRP. While pain relief may be an early indication of success, stability over time, and monitoring for knee joint arthritis are neccessary.

This is an example of a complex case of AVN, with more involvement than considered ideal, however the patients unique goals and desire to avoid knee joint replacement render Stem Cell Therapy a viable option.