Baseball Scout with Severe AVN Consults Dr. Lox
A baseball scout for a professional team began having progressive hip pain. Eventually, he presented to an orthopedic surgeon after x-rays and MRI’s was found to have AVN of both hips. There was no trauma or medical ailments, no corticosteroid use. It was presumed idiopathic ( unknown cause). He consulted Dennis M. Lox, MD, a sports and regenerative medicine physician in the Tampa Bay, Florida area for stem cell treatment. Dr. Lox reviewed his x- rays and unfortunately he had deferred medical treatment for such an extended period his femoral head on both the left and right hip had collapsed to such an extent there was a severe hip joint secondary arthritis.
Both joints were collapsed to such an extent he could barely walk to scout a game. Upon careful questioning, Dr. Lox learned his alcohol intake was significantly beyond the norm. Dr. Lox determined it was not idiopathic, but alcohol-induced avascular necrosis or osteonecrosis. Alcohol much like steroid induced AVN is felt to cause fat accumulation in the bone marrow and leads to the ischemia (loss of blood flow) that results in bone cell death ( necrosis). Unfortunately, this case was too far advanced by the time he consulted Dr. Lox. He would need both hips replaced. Tragic, but it is important not to ignore warning signs that your body is hurting especially if trauma is not involved.
Dennis M. Lox, MD, serves patients in the greater Tampa Bay area, including, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa, New Port Richey, Sarasota, Orlando, and Spring Hill and can accommodate the needs of patients throughout Florida, the United States, the Western Hemisphere, and Europe, as well. To learn more about stem cell therapy and other regenerative services offered by Dr. Lox, call (727) 462-5582.
