Wrestler from New Jersey with AVN of the Hip, Returns To See Dr. Lox 2 Years Later
Avoiding a Total Hip Replacement Surgery
A New Jersey wrestler who developed post-traumatic Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the hip at the age of 14, consulted Dennis M. Lox, MD,, who is an expert in stem cell treatment for athletes with Avascular necrosis (AVN). Dr. Lox was selected by the patients’ mother after a vigorous vetting for the best doctor to treat her son. She had been told that the only option for her son was a total hip replacement surgery. She was adamantly opposed to this. She contacted Dr. Lox and began a dialogue for the use of stem cells in the treatment of her son. The ability to return to a hard edge sport such as wrestling was secondary, to getting him off crutches and reducing his hip pain. After a lengthy consultation, the family flew from New Jersey to Florida to consult with Dennis M. Lox, MD,. They opted on hip stem cell therapy for his avascular necrosis (AVN). He did not have to have a hip replacement surgery and 2 years later, after the hip stem cell injection, the patient is graduating from high school a year early and has become a fitness aficionado to rival Jack LaLanne. He is an incredible example of the success a human can put forth into their active role in health care and post-procedural excellence.
What is AVN?
Avascular Necrosis, often abbreviated as AVN, occurs when there is disruption of blood flow to a portion of the bone. This loss of blood flow, also called ischemia is where the word Avascular comes from. The portion of bone that loses its blood supply dies or becomes necrotic. Thus, the term avascular necrosis or AVN. Sometimes it is known by other names such as osteonecrosis, aseptic necrosis or bone infraction. All of these names mean the same disorder; AVN.
What Causes Hip AVN?
There are known factors like trauma which directly impairs blood flow to a bone. There are also unknown reasons, and disease states that have a higher than normal association with the development of AVN. A few causes are listed below.
- Trauma
- Idiopathic or unknown etiology
- Excessive corticosteroids (cortisone)
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Rheumatologic diseases Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus
- Sickle cell disease
- Gaucher’s disease (a fat storage disease)
- Caisson’s disease (decompression sickness)
- HIV
Symptoms of Hip AVN
Pain is the usual presenting feature. If trauma has occurred, it may delay the diagnosis as pain is normal after trauma. The legendary professional sports athlete Bo Jackson, is perhaps the most famous example of a delay in the diagnosis of hip AVN. Bo Jackson was a true “larger than life” sports legend. His teammates and peers often described him as being on a totally different level than the rest of the professional Football and Baseball players. He was larger than life, one of the fastest ever, big and strong, and excelled in two professional sports at the same time professional baseball and professional football. Bo Jackson could do things others just could not.
Bo Jackson
Prior to a Monday night football game Seattle Seahawks linebacker and former University of Oklahoma bad boy, Brian Bosworth stated he was going to shut down Bo Jackson, a running back with the Oakland Raiders, along with fellow running back superstar Marcus Allen.
Bo Jackson did not engage in trash talk, his actions that Monday night speaks for them themselves.
See for yourself.
Video Bo Jackson Monday Night Football Game Against Brian Bosworth
Unfortunately, late in the season, Bo Jackson made a spectacular 30-yard run. He was tackled, and his hip dislocated. He was so strong and powerful he states his muscles pulled his hip back in the socket. He was helped off the field, walking with assistance.
Naturally, this was painful. At the end of the football season, he was not evaluated. MRI’s were not routine, as they are now. Today he would have had an MRI that day or the following day. Bo Jackson’s hip pain never went away. He showed up at the Kansas City Royals spring training camp with a limp. The team doctor ordered a hip x-Ray. The x-Rays revealed the most feared consequence of hip AVN. Rapid joint destruction after the necrotic or dead bone region collapses. Bo Jackson eventually had a hip replacement surgery. Could a hip stem cell injection have saved his football career? One will never know. Most athletes want to avoid having hip replacement surgery. After this, he never played professional football again. He played another season of professional baseball. Other famous athletes have been luckier. Brett Favre was diagnosed as having hip AVN by a team doctor who wanted to fail his exam. The Decision was overruled by the coach who saw something special in the young Brett Favre. He went onto have a stellar career with the Green Bay Packers. You can read more on Bo Jackson and his sports career here; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bo_Jackson
Stem cells and Regenerative Medicine may have an increasing role in elite athletes with the sports injury and AVN.
Tampa Bay Area, Florida (727) 462-5582
Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, Beverly Hills, California (310) 975-7033
