Hip AVN or Osteonecrosis: Dennis Lox M.D.

Hip Avascular necrosis (AVN) is also referred to as osteonecrosis. Dennis Lox M.D. is an expert in Sports and Regenerative Medicine, with special expertise in AVN or Osteonecrosis. The hip is the most commonly affected joint with AVN.  Trauma, including sports injuries, leads the list of causes.

What is AVN or Osteonecrosis?

Avascular necrosis is a disorder of bone. It occurs when the blood supply to a region of bone becomes impaired. This lack of blood flow results in bone cell death or necrosis. It is similar to a heart attack, only instead of heart tissue damage, it is bone tissue. The area of necrosis may be small or large, depending upon the size of ischemia or blood flow loss.  The hip is most frequently seen, followed by the shoulder, then the knee.  One hip or both may be involved. However, AVN may present with unusual involvement. This can be seen as a hip with knee osteonecrosis, or a hip and ankle. The skilled physician who frequently treats AVN or osteonecrosis is aware of all presentations and potential causes.

Causes of Hip AVN or Osteonecrosis

There are many possible associated causative factors for AVN. Trauma is the leading cause of AVN. Dr. Lox has seen athletes from a variety of sports who developed avascular necrosis is many different joints from shoulders, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles.

Next, to trauma, the second leading cause of AVN or osteonecrosis is idiopathic. Idiopathic is an unknown cause. This is obviously frustrating for patients who are looking for a reason for the development of AVN. Before assuming it is idiopathic, all potential causative factors for the development of AVN must be considered.

Known Associated Factors for AVN

• Excessive Corticosteroids (cortisone)
• Excessive alcohol usage (rare compared to the number of alcohol abusers)
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Autoimmune Disorders (Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis)
• Decompression Sickness
• AIDS
• Vasculitis
• Clotting Disorders

Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Therapy Options

Patients with hip AVN consult Dr. Lox for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Therapy options. Often they are athletes wishing to return to their chosen sport. The hip with AVN may have many levels of involvement.

The size of the necrotic area on the femur, whether there is a joint collapse, preexisting degenerative arthritis, age, weight all factors must be individually evaluated. Dr. Lox has seen patients from around the world.

No two patients are alike. Dr. Lox stresses the importance of personalized medicine. Patients often call on the phone before making appointments and want guarantees of results or percentages of patients who improve. Many quasi-Stem cell clinics or newly anointed people claiming expertise in Regenerative Medicine will provide false information to guarantee success or claims of 85-90% results for everyone. This is absurd.

Humans are very diverse. Animals studies are uniform and can give results based on similar experimental induced arthritis lesions from trauma. The animals are fed the same food, graze in the same pasture, and none run marathons. Humans do all kinds of things that affect results and have different underlying levels of hip AVN. An experienced physician knows some patients follow their recommendations, others don’t. Compliant patients whether it is Regenerative Medicine or diabetes do better. Simple but true. 

The most frequently seen reason patients with hip AVN consult Dr. Lox is they wish to avoid a hip replacement surgery. A very good reason to consider Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Therapy options. Athletes who have hip replacement surgery rarely return to their sport, especially professional athletes. Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Therapy options make complete sense.

The legendary professional football and baseball player Bo Jackson developed hip AVN as the result of a football injury. Bo Jackson had his hip replaced and never played professional football again. Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Therapy options were not available during Bo Jackson’s playing days, but they are now. So, investigation of Regenerative Medicine treatment options instead of hip replacement surgery is now becoming a more frequently researched area.

Dr. Lox has had many success stories of athletes and non-athletes with hip AVN who chose Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Therapy.

CONTACT US:

Tampa Bay Metropolitan Area, Clearwater, Florida (727) 462-5582

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