Avascular Necrosis of the Hip and Stem Cell Therapy
Avascular Necrosis of the Hip and Stem Cell Therapy. Avascular Necrosis is a condition in which the blood supply to a region of bone becomes impaired, this results in loss of blood flow or ischemia (avascular). The loss of blood flow renders the region of bone to become necrotic or die. Stem cells have been utilized as part of the treatment of Avascular Necrosis. Hip Avascular Necrosis is the most common type of Avascular Necrosis and may be seen in one hip or both.
Sometimes Avascular Necrosis may occur in a hip and a knee or other joints as well.
The most common cause for Avascular Necrosis is trauma disrupting the hips blood supply.
Other causes are idiopathic or an unknown causative factor. Corticosteroids (cortisone) are a leading etiology for the development of Avascular necrosis. This may be seen in a variety of diseases. Lung disorders (asthma and COPD), Autoimmune diseases (Lupus and Rheumatoid arthritis), and even along with chemotherapy drugs.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are also known as causative agents for the development of AVN.
The use of stem cells has many purposes for the treatment in Avascular Necrosis.
Stem cells may assist in creating new blood flow (angiogenesis and vasculogenesis), differentiate into new bone cells (chondrocytes), and regulate the inflammatory cascade. The greatest problem with AVN is the collapse of the necrotic area which leads to a rapid hip joint degeneration. Stem cells may work on all or part of these pathways which can impair function or lead to joint degeneration. This may alter the course of total hip joint replacement, a very sought after goal of patients with Avascular Necrosis.
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.
