AVN or Avascular Necrosis of The Femoral Head
Hip AVN
Avascular Necrosis, also referred to as Osteonecrosis of the femoral head, or also known as hip AVN is a condition in which the vascular (blood supply) to a bone becomes disrupted. This leads to ischemia (avascularity) and results in the area of the bone becoming necrotic or dying, due to the loss of blood flow.
Diagnosis of AVN
The hip joint is the most frequently affected area afflicted with osteonecrosis or AVN https://www.drlox.com/medical-conditions-treated/avascular-necrosis/. The area of the bone most commonly affected is the top portion of the long bone of the leg the femur. This region is known as the femoral head. The hip joint is a ball and socket joint. The femoral head forms the ball and the socket is the pelvis. If the region of Avascular Necrosis collapses, the hip joint may rapidly degenerate from wear as the normal joint architecture is lost and erodes quickly. This often leads to hip joint replacement. Early diagnosis and treatment is essential.
If the area of osteonecrosis does not collapse, the necrotic zone may become stabilized. This situation is ideally suited for Stem Cell Therapy. Many times, situations are not ideal. The osteonecrosis or AVN is not diagnosed early, but that does not mean treatment can not work. It is important to seek consultation. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/avascular-necrosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20369859
Treatment of AVN
If treatment of the AVN with regenerative therapy results in stability without progression of arthritis, then hip replacement surgery may be deferred or avoided. This is the prime goal of many patients, especially athletes with osteonecrosis (AVN). In athletes, progressive degenerative arthritis or hip joint replacement, usually means the end of their athletic career.
Brett Favre, Bo Jackson and Avascular Necrosis
Though certain of the future of hip AVN cannot be foretold, it becomes obvious that the course of Brett Favre’s hip AVN is preferred to that of the course of Bo Jackson’s hip AVN. Brett Favre had no hip joint collapse with continued Football career, contrasted to Bo Jackson’s hip joint collapse followed by hip joint replacement and his retirement from Professional Football.
In medicine, nothing is for certain, treatment recommendations with considerable knowledge of these factors and experience in the treatment of avascular necrosis or osteonecrosis is critical. A regenerative medicine expert like Dr. Dennis Lox, can be a valuable consultation when femoral head AVN occurs.
Contact Dr. Dennis Lox
If you’re in pain or had an injury and are looking for an alternative to surgery, contact us immediately at one of our locations. Our Main Medical Center located in Tampa Bay, Florida (727) 462-5582 or at Beverly Hills, California (310) 975-7033.
