AVN Or Avascular Necrosis Explained
What is AVN?
AVN or avascular necrosis, sometimes referred to as osteonecrosis, occurs when the blood supply to a region of bone becomes impaired or disrupted, this avascularity leads to bone cell death or necrosis. The extent of the area of necrosis is important, as is if the area includes the area next to the joint. When the area is extensive or extends to the joint margin, it is higher risk for joint collapse. When joint collapse occurs it can lead to a rapid joint destruction. This is the most feared consequence of AVN, and often leads to joint replacement surgery.https://www.drlox.com/dr-lox-on-avascular-necrosis-or-avn/
MRI or X-Ray?
Many patients or doctors seem indecisive on x-ray or MRI An MRI is the gold standard for early detection. By the time it shows on X-ray it has been there a while. MRI also clearly demarcates the margins of the AVN or necrosis area, and if it is in contact with joint surface area.
What causes AVN?
AVN or avascular necrosis can arise from many conditions or causation factors.
Trauma is the leading cause of AVN.
Idiopathic o unknown causation is number 2
In Dr. Lox’s practice by far excessive corticosteroids (cortisone) use is number 3
Typically the higher doses are greater risk. Intravenous corticosteroids has high risk and Dr. Lox has seen some of the worst cases from repetitive intravenous use.
There are a multitude of other causation factors including:
Chemotherapy
Radiation therapy
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Autoimmune diseases
Sickle cell disease when they have a crisis their red blood cells sludge and sickle shape occluding blood supply
Lipid disorders Gaucher’s disease
Decompression sickness Caisson’s disease
Being Passive Wait and See or Proactive Decisions
Often patients see Dennis M Lox M.D., after being told let’s wait and see if it collapses or you will know when it’s time for hip replacement surgery. Patients and family members don’t like these statements. They want proactive treatment options, and those who research find Dr. Lox and his vast experience and expertise in AVN. Dr. Lox didn’t set out to be an AVN expert it just happened so many patients were told unacceptable things he got a reputation for understanding and treatment success. This lead to patients from all over the world seeking his expertise. Being proactive is perhaps the best offensive treatment strategy there is. If you wait till it collapses, there goes your options. Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Therapy can be used for angiogenesis, creating new blood vessels, creating new bone cells to replace the necrosis cells, and to slow the degenerative process of AVN. (prevention of joint collapse and destruction). This can be viewed as preventive medicine for an alternative to joint replacement surgery. Avoid the wait and see approach. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtdgKeerXnk
Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Therapy as Alternative Treatment
Thus, patients seek consultation and treatment with Dr. Lox for strategies and treatment with Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Therapy as a proactive do something now, don’t wait until it collapses and falls apart, get my life back, stop, worrying about it, and possibly return to sport.
