Avascular Necrosis (AVN), Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cells

Avascular Necrosis (AVN) may also be referred to by several other monikers:

• Osteonecrosis
• Aseptic Necrosis
• Ischemic Necrosis
• Bone Infarction
• Bone Infraction

The underlying etiology for the development of avascular necrosis is loss of blood supply to an area of bone. This loss of blood supply is known as ischemic (avascular). The result is bone cell death to the area of ischemia referred to as necrosis). This leads to the various names derived from the pathological condition. The severity of the necrosis greatly impacts progression of this disorder. The more area of disrupted blood flows leads to larger areas of bone cell death or necrosis. This can lead to collapse of bone with rapid joint destruction.

The utilization of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Therapy in the treatment of avascular necrosis (AVN) focuses on the principles of how stem cells aid in repair and differentiation into new cell types. The science behind stem cells is they are precursor cells to various cells in our body. If damaged cells can be replaced, vascular compromise improved and joint degeneration modified, then the ravaging effects of bone collapse in osteonecrosis or AVN may be impacted. This is a desired goal in patients seeking alternatives to joint replacement surgery.