What is Avascular Necrosis? What Treatment options are available?
FACT: People aged between 30-50 are at higher risk of AVN.
Avascular necrosis (AVN) is a joint disease that produces discomfort and stiffness, resulting in reduced joint mobility. Our bones are made up of blood vessels, which are necessary for bone health because they transport nutrients and oxygen. Avascular necrosis is the death of bone caused by a lack of these vessels. Osteonecrosis is another term for AVN.
Symptoms of AVN
Before complete deterioration of bone, AVN progresses through 4 stages, and at every stage, it gets worse. During the initial stages, it's difficult to diagnose as no symptoms are shown and patients also feel no pain. With time these symptoms progress from mild to severe.
Initially, a person may feel pain when weight is put on the joint but with time pain is felt consistently. This happens because tiny cracks of the bone turn into micro-fractures which ultimately lead to bone collapse and the development of arthritis.
Causes
●
Smoking
●
An injury that damaged blood
vessels
● Childhood Diseases like Legg-Calve Perthes
Other factors other than these which contribute in are:
●
Decompression
●
Chemotherapy
●
High Cholesterol
●
Gaucher's disease
● HIV
However, it's difficult to find out the exact reason that caused the interruption of blood flow to the bone.
The prone areas that are affected by AVN are the knee, hips, and shoulder but in some cases, it has been found in fingers and toes too.
Diagnosis
For the diagnosis of AVN, your doctor would ask you to move your joints to know the reduction in movement.
Other than that he would run some tests.
Imaging Tests are done to find out the exact stage of AVN.
X-Ray - They reveal if any changes have occurred in the bone. Usually, x-rays appear normal in the initial stages.
MRI and CT Scans - These tests are done to find the details of AVN. Early changes are detectable through these tests.
Bone Scan - A radioactive material is injected into the vein. When it travels it highlights the affected areas which help in the treatment.
AVN Treatment
Many treatment options are available for Osteonecrosis, but for the initial stages, doctors would recommend medication and therapies. If AVN reaches the severe stages then treatment options are
●
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
medicines
●
Osteoporosis Medications
●
Medications for managing
Cholesterol levels
● Blood thinners
Along with these medicines, a person suffering from AVN would be recommended to take ample rest. This is done to ease out the pain and avoid stressing the affected joint.
Some surgical options are also available but doctors recommend these when no other treatment is working. Surgical options include
●
Core Decompression
●
Bone Transplant
●
Bone Reshaping
● Joint Replacement
These surgeries aren't risk-free and may impact your life severely but there is a safe and natural treatment that can help you in curing AVN.
Ossgrow bone cell treatment is the safest and effective treatment for AVN. It is an autologous treatment where stem cells are used for the curing process.
Regrow Biosciences, Pioneer in
India, & Leader in Asia
is a leading biotechnology organization, focused on enhancing human healthcare
by offering the most advanced & innovative regenerative medicine-based
solutions including OSSGROW® bone cell therapy.
Book an appointment with REGROW BIOSCIENCES to know more or get answers
to your questions.
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