Spontaneous Avascular Necrosis of More Than One Joint: Mistaken Identity Treated with Stem Cell Therapy
Avascular Necrosis (AVN) may occur from a variety of sources. Trauma is the leading cause of avascular necrosis (AVN). Spontaneous or insidious onset AVN is another common factor.
When more than one joint is diagnosed as having spontaneous avascular necrosis, an exhaustive search for other potential causes should be undertaken. Some patients may be a candidate for Stem Cell Therapy of more than one joint. If a proper evaluation suggests they may be a good candidate for several joint stem cell treatments, a proper understanding of whether the AVN is truly insidious or not is important.
Causes of AVN
- Trauma
- Spontaneous
- Excessive corticosteroids (cortisone)
- Excessive alcohol
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Lupus
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Gaucher’s disease
- Caisson’s disease (decompression sickness)
- Sickle cell disease
Spontaneous Avascular Necrosis
This term should be used when no other risk factor is present that may readily explain the condition. A times, remote corticosteroids during childhood for asthma, may be forgotten if the history is not very carefully structured.
Multiple trauma induced AVN, may also be diagnosed much later.
The effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy may have many side effects as well, often confusing early diagnosis. With many possible risk associated factors, Spontaneous AVN should be used hesitantly in AVN occurring in multiple sites without exhausting other potential causes.
Treatment of AVN with Stem Cell Therapy
The treatment of avascular necrosis with Stem Cell Therapy should be with a Regenerative Medicine physician who has experience treating AVN. The complexities of treating AVN, as well as the issues of patient specific goals, needs, or sports participation is highly important for the patient, and in arriving at a treatment plan.
