Avascular Necrosis (AVN) or Osteonecrosis
Clearwater, Tampa, St Petersburg, Florida
Avascular Necrosis (AVN) or Osteonecrosis is the death of bone tissue due to a lack of blood supply, which can lead to tiny breaks in the bone and the bone’s eventual collapse. Blood flow to a section of bone can be interrupted if the bone is fractured or the joint becomes dislocated.
There are two common sites for avascular necrosis (AVN) of the wrist, which result in acute or chronic wrist pain:
1. At the proximal portion of the scaphoid bone after a scaphoid fracture.
2. At the lunate bone.
The blood supply to the lunate is fragile, as is the supply to the scaphoid bone. The resulting chronic wrist pain that can occur as a result of this can go unnoticed as initial radiographs may be unremarkable and followup with bone scan or magnetic resonance imaging scanning are much more sensitive to this process.
Kienböck’s disease can lead to avascular necrosis of the lunate, as a result of repetitive trauma, acute fracture or ulnar minus variance. This condition is much more common in men and the description usually entails wrist pain exacerbated by activity. Most patients are associated with excessive activity, manual labor or physical exertion.
If left untreated, surgical options may be considered as the bone, due to the avascular necrosis, ultimately becomes inactive or dead.
Newer treatment options to prevent osteonecrosis or avascular necrosis include platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell therapy. Both of these cutting-edge technologies capture the healing growth factors that are in a person’s own body. By injecting the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and/or stem cells into the affected area at an early stage, it may help heal the affected area and diminish pain. In addition, there are indications that platelet-rich plasma may help speed healing in a variety of conditions, in much the same way that stem cells may help to regenerate different types of tissues. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a cutting-edge option for patients who have chronic wrist pain and desire non-surgical or alternative measures to manage the condition.
If you continue to suffer with osteonecrosis or avascular necrosis (AVN) and your current treatment plan leaves you feeling hopeless, perhaps a fresh set of experienced eyes can change your outlook. Since 1990, Dennis M. Lox, M.D has applied his personal interests in sports medicine, cutting-edge regenerative medicine and chronic pain management to helping patients increase their quality of life. Contact us for an appointment at 727-462-5582.
Dennis M. Lox, MD, and the Florida Spine Center serve patients within the greater Tampa Bay area, including Clearwater, Tampa and St. Petersburg, as well as all of Florida and the US.
All statements, information or opinions provided by this website are provided for educational purposes only. We do not diagnose nor treat through this website or by telephone. As you consider any treatment, discuss them with your physician.
Regarding platelet-rich plasma or stem cell therapy: Neither statements nor treatments have been evaluated by the FDA. We do not claim that these treatments work for any listed or unlisted condition. Patient testimonials offer only the patient’s impression of how a therapy worked for them – individual results will vary; results are not guaranteed nor warranteed. As you consider any treatment, discuss them with your physician.
