Avascular Necrosis or Osteonecrosis of the Hip in Athletes
Avascular Necrosis or Osteonecrosis of the Hip in Athletes Treated With Stem Therapy. Athletes with Avascular Necrosis or osteonecrosis often face a difficult decision, surgery which may end their athletic career, or live with pain and debility. Now athletes are presented with new options as Stem Cell Therapy has become an increasingly viable option.
There have been many famous athletes who developed hip AVN. Cyclist Floyd Landis had his hip replaced. Professional football and baseball player Bo Jackson developed AVN of the hip after being tackled. Jackson underwent hip joint replacement. He played one more year of professional baseball but never played professional football again. GolferJack Nicklaus had his hips replaced. Nicklaus admittedly was given excessive cortisone injections into his hip during the early 60’s. Not all professional athletes with Hip AVN can no longer compete. Professional football Quarterback Brett Favre continued to play until he retired with hip AVN.
Avascular necrosis occurs when the blood supply to a region of bone is impaired resulting in bone cell death or necrosis.
Regenerative Medicine therapies such as Stem Cell therapy, are used to attempt repair and regeneration. Stem cells have the ability to form new blood vessels, as well as form new bone cells. These processes allow stem cells to aid in the repair of hip AVN, without the downtime or lengthy recovery of surgical procedures. Often total hip replacement is recommended. This is often career ending for athletes. Also, younger patients wish to avoid or delay total hip replacement, as the lifespan of the joint implant will often fail, leading to a hip revision still at a young age. The prospect then of hip fusion at a later date for young active patients is quite troubling.
Stem Cell Therapy for hip AVN should be evaluated on an individual basis as the many causes of AVN, patient variability and treatment selected, may need to be customized for each patient given their unique circumstances, goals, and desires.
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.
