Avascular Necrosis of the Hip
Hip avascular necrosis is a dangerous ailment that has several potential causes. It is typified by excruciating pain and trouble walking. Many patients seek final treatment from an orthopedic surgeon after initially consulting with their primary care physician for pain management.
What is AVN Hip Replacement?
Most of the time, Avascular Necrosis (AVN) happens in the hip joint. Our hip is a ball and socket joint. In this disease, the blood supply to the ball is cut off because of certain reasons which are still unknown in 90% of the cases. The number one cause is steroid intake, the other causes are smoking and drinking alcohol and the solution is hip replacement.
Many young patients are misguided by some non-operating people that they can be cured by stem cells or by drilling, decompression techniques, or some medicines but this’s not true and the patients lose their time and money with these procedures.
How Is Hip Avascular Necrosis (AVN) Caused?
The hip is a joint where two bones meet. Specifically, the hip is where the head of the thigh bone, the femur, meets a specific part of the pelvis, the acetabulum. Avascular necrosis of the hip refers to the loss of blood supply to the femoral head. This insufficient blood supply to the bone causes the bone to become weak and eventually collapse, leading to pain and arthritis. The factors that cause this impaired blood flow vary.
Why Does AVN Occur?
Avascular necrosis has numerous causes, as previously mentioned. In actuality, the majority of scientists think that a confluence of circumstances functioning simultaneously to produce the ideal storm is what causes the illness. Both adults and children may experience this syndrome, which can be brought on by certain drugs, illnesses, or other circumstances.
Avascular necrosis is frequently caused by alcohol and glucocorticoids. Known by their common name, steroids, glucocorticoids are used to treat a wide range of illnesses. They may hinder blood flow to the femoral head in certain individuals, leading to bone deterioration. Avascular necrosis is also a result of excessive alcohol usage. Scientists think alterations in stress levels, a rise in fat, and slow blood flow are to blame for this.
How Do They Diagnose AVN?
Doctors use imaging when they suspect avascular necrosis. The most effective first test is an X-ray, which can reveal bone alterations indicative of avascular necrosis. Next, the doctor requests Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The diagnosis can be verified and the necrotic bone can be clearly seen with an MRI.
What options do I have for treating avascular necrosis of the hip?
Treatment for avascular necrosis might be challenging depending on the patient. Finding the source of the necrosis and managing or removing the offending agent is the first step. Optimizing other risk factors that obstruct blood flow, such as smoking, is also part of this. Some doctors advise starting with non-operative therapy early in the disease. Using crutches to lessen weight bearing and taking medicine to control pain and preserve bone density are examples of non-operative therapy. Nevertheless, it has been discovered that non-operative management is insufficient to stop the disease's progression. For this reason, operative management has become popular.
Core decompression is a surgical procedure primarily used in the early stages of avascular necrosis (AVN) or osteonecrosis. This condition involves the loss of blood supply to a bone, often leading to bone tissue death. Core decompression aims to reduce pressure within the bone and stimulate new blood flow to the affected area, potentially preventing further bone collapse and the need for joint replacement surgery in the later stages of AVN.
However, it's essential to clarify that the success rate and effectiveness of core decompression surgery is 0%.
Conclusion
Hip avascular necrosis is a disorder that results in discomfort and decreased hip movement. The patient's lifestyle, risk factors, and other factors all influence the treatment plan, which is intricate. Make an appointment to consult with Dr. Ashwani Maichand if you have hip avascular necrosis so that you can decide on the best course of action.
Frequently Asked Questions About Avascular Necrosis (FAQ):
1) When can I travel out of state after surgery?
Generally speaking, you should wait to travel long distances until at least after your first post-operative appointment with your surgeon. Long-distance travel raises the risk of blood clot development or failure to notice a postoperative problem.
But with MIS Technique recovery and mobility is very fast. Dr. Ashwani Maichand advises to plan travel out of state after 5 days of surgery. Dr. Ashwani Maichand advises getting up to stretch or take a stroll at least once every 2 hour when traveling for an extended period of time.
2) What am I unable to perform following a hip replacement?
After a open hip replacement, we tell patients not to bend past ninety degrees, not to cross their legs, and not to rotate their hips inward. Hip dislocations are prevented by taking these safety measures.
But Dr. Ashwani Maichand performs Hip Replacement by MIS technique which help recovery and mobility very fast. We tell patients to bend past ninety degrees, to cross their legs, and to rotate their hips inward, do nawaaz, use an Indian Toilet.
3) After having a hip replacement, when can I drive?
The response differs depending on the patient and whether surgery is performed on the left or right leg. Generally speaking, if you are impaired by drugs or feel unsafe while driving, you should not drive. After surgery, patients can usually resume driving two weeks later. I normally tell my patients not to drive if they think they wouldn't be able to stop in an emergency or if they think a pedestrian might suddenly decide to cross the road in front of their automobile. Before driving on the road, get some practice in a parking lot.
4) When may I resume my job following surgery?
This is a complicated question based on the kind of work you conduct.
Looking for Best AVN Specialist in Delhi? Contact Dr. Ashwani Maichand today.