A Teen Hockey Player with Shoulder AVN From The North Pole with Consults Dr. Lox in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles
In Beverly Hills, California, a teen hockey player with traumatic induced shoulder Avascular Necrosis or shoulder AVN, consulted with Dr. Lox to treat with Stem Cells.
He flew in from the North Pole after hearing about Dr. Lox’s work and experience in AVN and athletes. Dr. Lox saw the patient and his family in his Beverly Hills, California office.
The teen dislocated his shoulder resulting in the development of post-traumatic Avascular Necrosis (AVN). Trauma is the leading cause of AVN and unknown causes, termed Idiopathic, is second to trauma.
What is Shoulder AVN?
Shoulder AVN occurs when the blood flow to the shoulder bone, typically the humeral head, is impaired. The loss of blood flow is termed Avascular and the loss of blood flow results in bone cell death, known as Necrosis. Shoulder AVN is second to Hip AVN in frequency.
Trauma to the shoulder is the leading cause of shoulder AVN. The idiopathic or unknown cause is the second most frequent reason for being diagnosed with shoulder AVN. Idiopathic or an unknown cause is often frustrating for patients, as patients want answers.
Telling a patient “we don’t know what caused this”, is a stressful reaction commonly seen after being told you have idiopathic shoulder AVN. Other causes may be a result of excessive Cortisone use and excessive alcohol use.
There is not a good understanding of why some people who take excessive cortisone or alcohol get AVN, while others do not.
Symptoms Of AVN
First and foremost, shoulder pain is usually the first symptom that a patient will experience. Due to trauma, it may be misleading as just part of the trauma. Secondly, loss of shoulder range of motion and stiffness may also occur as a symptom. However, a specialist like Dr. Lox can aid in early diagnosis of shoulder AVN.
Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain is often the first sign of shoulder AVN. Dr. Lox has treated athletes and non-athletes alike for Shoulder AVN including rotator cuff tears, supraspinatus tears, impingement syndrome, labral tears, and shoulder joint arthritis with Regenerative Therapy and Stem Cell Therapy.
The concern with shoulder AVN is that the necrotic area may collapse leading to a rapid destruction of the shoulder joint. As a result, this often leads to a recommendation for total shoulder replacement.
Shoulder Stem Cell Therapy
Alternatives to shoulder replacement surgery is a frequent reason patients research Regenerative Medicine. The age of the patient, severity, and type of injury and type of sport are all important pieces of the puzzle when evaluating a patient.
No two patients are the same, and it is essential to evaluate each patient separately because there is no pre-set treatment plan for each patient when considering Regenerative Medicine and Shoulder Stem Cell Therapy.
Patients like the simplicity of shoulder stem cell therapy because there is no general anesthesia and it is a simple injection. Additionally, patients can go back to work the same day.
