Think of blood as your body’s transportation system. When tissue doesn’t get enough oxygen and nutrients, it withers and dies. This is what happens to your hip bone in avascular necrosis. Therefore, every patient’s biggest concern is “Does hip replacement cure avascular necrosis?”
What Is Avascular Necrosis of the Hip?
The hip is a “ball and socket” joint. The “ball” is the rounded head of the femur (thighbone), and the “socket” is the acetabulum, a cup-shaped part of the pelvis. The femoral head fits inside the acetabulum and rotates when the hip moves.
When AVN happens in the hip joint, it affects the femoral head. Blood supply to the femoral head is disrupted, causing the bone tissue to die.
How Fast Does Avascular Necrosis Progress?
In avascular necrosis, blood flow to a specific area of bone tissue is greatly reduced or blocked. Without medical treatment, this condition will progress to complete bone death within months to two years.
How Long Can You Live with Avascular Necrosis?
Avascular necrosis of the hip is not life-threatening. However, it significantly lowers your quality of life, which is something to take seriously. It restricts movement and causes severe pain.
Avascular Necrosis Hip Causes
AVN of the hip happens when the blood supply to the femoral head is cut off, causing the bone tissue to die. Following are the two main types of it.
Traumatic AVN of the hip happens when an injury disrupts blood flow to the femoral head, like a hip fracture, dislocation, or previous surgery. It’s less common than non-traumatic AVN.
Nontraumatic AVN of the hip is linked to factors like long-term use of corticosteroids and heavy alcohol consumption, which make up over 80% of cases. Other risk factors include smoking, certain diseases like sickle cell disease and lupus, previous radiation or chemotherapy, and various medical conditions like HIV, pancreatitis, and liver disease. Sometimes, the cause of AVN of the hip is unknown.
What Is the Best Treatment for Avascular Necrosis?
The treatment for AVN of the hip depends on factors like the patient’s age, overall health, symptoms, and whether the femoral head has collapsed.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
For early-stage AVN of the hip, non-surgical treatments can help manage symptoms but typically do not stop the condition from getting worse. These include:
- Rest
- Physical Therapy
- Pain Medication
- Assistive Devices
- Lifestyle Changes
Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) Therapy:
HBO therapy involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber. This treatment can enhance oxygen delivery to affected tissues, promoting healing, reducing swelling, and relieving pain. It also stimulates bone regeneration and prevents further damage.
Surgical Treatment Options
Surgical treatments aim to relieve symptoms, slow AVN progression, and restore hip function. Options include:
- Core Decompression: Minimally invasive surgery to drill into the femoral head, relieve pressure, and improve blood flow to prevent further damage.
- Stem Cell Therapy: Combined with core decompression, where stem cells are used to regenerate new bone in the affected area.
- Bone Grafting: Transplanting synthetic or healthy bone to stimulate new bone growth in the femoral head.
- Osteotomy: Surgery to reposition and redistribute weight on the femur to healthier areas.
- Total Hip Replacement: When AVN is advanced, replace the damaged hip joint with artificial components to restore function.
Wrapping Up
A hip replacement surgery indeed restores a patient’s hip functionality to the maximum. However, the biggest concern remains: “Does hip replacement surgery cure avascular necrosis?” In advanced cases, this is the best option for you to improve your quality of life.
Visit Dr. Ihekweazu at Ugo Ihekweazu, MD. Our board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializes in hip and knee replacement surgeries. Call us at (254) 602-5713 for appointments and (713) 799-2300 for general inquiries.