Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head is a progressive, crippling syndrome for which no widely accepted treatment is available. It has a world wide incidence. It is associated with a variety of both traumatic and non-traumatic conditions and disorders and may develop at any age. The diagnosis may be difficult to make, and is frequently missed in its early stages.
Because a large portion of those affected with AVN are young adults, and in 50% both hips are affected, Hip replacements are not necessarily the answer. Hip replacements are done in those advanced cases where secondary hip arthritis has set in. Hip replacements & resurfacing are a sub optimal solution for these young patients.
When the disease is detected early by MRI scans, it is possible in India now to perform a biological treatment. In fact a biological treatment option of early disease is a medical necessity and must be the treatment of choice whenever possible.
A novel approach to this condition is being mooted by a leading Orthopedic surgeon in Chennai, India. This is by means of stem cells. Stem cells have the potential to regenerate any tissue. In this case, bone forming stem cells are utilized to synthesize new bone over the dead bone. Stem cells are harvested from the pelvis of the patient.
There are two techniques being promoted. One is a three stage procedure and the other is a single stage procedure. Both procedures are done in India, implying that you will save thousands of dollars in treatment costs.
The first method is by stem cell culture in the lab to multiply the number of cells several million fold. These cultured stem cells are reinjected into a previous core decompression site.
In the second method, bone marrow obtained from the pelvis is centrifuged in the operating room to yield a Bone marrow concentrate rich in stem cells. These are injected into a core decompression site.
A paper presented at the recent American academy of surgeons meet in New Orleans highlighted the success story of stem cells.
To know more about the stem cell option and to determine whether your case is suitable for this unique form of treatment, send an e mail to
Dr.AKVenkatachalam at [email protected]
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