Avascular necrosis, also known as osteonecrosis (bone death syndrome), is a bone-related disease that results from a blockage in the blood supply to the bones. This further leads to small cracks in the bones. In ideal scenarios, the bones can repair their own cracks, but due to a cut in the blood supply, they become ineffective, leading to temporary or permanent damage. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr. Amit Kumar Agarwal, Senior Consultant, Orthopedic Surgery, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals Delhi said: “As AVN progresses, small fractures affect bone structure and eventually lead to hip destruction. The normal hip joint is a globular and nesting joint. The bones are covered with a smooth vitreous material called cartilage. This smooth surface makes the movement painless. In AVN, the normally smooth and round shape of the hip joint is lost and it becomes spongy.
Dr. Amit Kumar Agarwal further noted the causes, symptoms and treatment and their effectiveness in the treatment of AVN. Look at:
READ ALSO: What is avascular necrosis or bone death, a new complication after Covid?
Reasons:
Although the direct causes of AVN have not yet been defined, it is usually caused by a fracture of the thigh, excessive alcohol and tobacco consumption, chemotherapy and radiation, and some medical conditions such as sickle cell disease, lymphoma and leukemia. However, the incidence of AVN has increased since the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic and is said to be the most likely cause of steroid use. After covid-19, the age group between 20 and 40 years is highly vulnerable to the development of severe AVN bone condition with rapid progression to complete destruction.
symptoms:
“AVN is also known as a silent disease, as symptoms are absent until much of the thigh is affected. Every joint in the body can be affected, but AVN mainly affects the hip joints. 80% of AVN cases occur in both hips (left and right). AVN of the hip joint develops stiffness, reducing the mobility of the hip joint, there is a painful spot in the groin and buttocks, which radiate to the knees. Common symptoms of AVN are difficulty walking, bending, sitting on the ground, limping while walking, and decreased hip movement, “said Dr. Amit Kumar Agarwal.
treatment:
Based on the stage and severity of the disease, treatment is recommended. A number of surgical and non-surgical treatments are available to treat AVN. They are:
Non-surgical approach: Painkillers may be prescribed in the first step of treatment. However. They do not help in the form of bone formation. Physiotherapy and rest are also recommended to reduce joint pain. However, none of them can contact AVN directly.
Surgical approach: A number of surgical approaches are available – further divided into options for preserving the hip joint and replacing the hip joint.
(A) Decompression of the nucleus: In this case of surgery, the doctor drills a small hole in the damaged bone to increase the blood supply. However, this surgical approach comes with a significant risk of failure.
(B) Bone Cell Therapy: This treatment involves extracting healthy stem cells from the patient’s bone marrow and bone cell culture and then injecting them into the patient’s hip joint using a small lock procedure.
(C) Complete hip replacement: “In this replacement operation, the doctor cuts off the hip bone and replaces it with a metal ball and socket. This procedure is suitable in the advanced stages (stage 4) of AVN, when the shape of the ball has changed, “said Dr. Amit Kumar Agarwal.
Add Comment