Avascular Necrosis (AVN) and Hip Joint Replacement: Key Considerations

Not every patient with avascular necrosis (AVN) of the hip requires hip joint replacement, especially in the early stages of the disease. The decision for surgery should be carefully considered, weighing patient concerns and alternatives to surgical intervention. Below are some important points to consider when determining the need for hip replacement and the right time for it:

1. Patient Concerns About Hip Joint Replacement:

  • Real-life restrictions: Patients often worry about lifestyle limitations after a hip replacement. While modern implants allow for considerable mobility, there are still restrictions, such as avoiding high-impact activities and maintaining caution with excessive weight or certain movements.
  • Cost: Hip replacement surgery can be expensive, particularly when factoring in hospital stay, surgeon fees, post-operative care, and rehabilitation. For some patients, this is a major concern.
  • Relief from surgery: Hip replacement usually provides significant pain relief and improved function. However, the level of relief may vary based on individual factors like overall health and how advanced the AVN is at the time of surgery.
  • Lifespan of the implant: Hip replacements typically last between 15 to 20 years, after which a revision surgery may be required. This leads many patients, especially younger ones, to delay surgery until it’s absolutely necessary.
  • Right age for surgery: Hip replacements are generally recommended later in life to maximize the lifespan of the implant. Younger patients often aim to delay surgery, as they may need one or more revision surgeries in their lifetime.
  • Desire to avoid surgery: Many patients prefer to avoid surgery altogether, opting for non-surgical options to manage pain and slow disease progression.

2. Non-Surgical Management (Up to Stage 3 AVN):

In the early stages of AVN (up to Grade/Stage 3), there is potential to manage the condition without resorting to hip replacement surgery. Several approaches, including natural management, regenerative products, and exercise, can help to restore function and slow the progression of the disease.

  • Regeneration Products and Natural Healing: Products like natural AVN healing care, which focus on restoring blood supply to the affected area and promoting healing of damaged tissues, have shown promise in halting the progression of AVN. These treatments may lead to remission or significant delay in the need for surgery.
  • Exercise: A carefully tailored exercise program can help maintain hip function, reduce pain, and improve the range of motion. It is important to avoid weight-bearing activities that could worsen the damage.
  • Economical and Low Risk: Natural AVN healing care is often more affordable than surgery and is associated with fewer risks, as it targets the root cause of AVN (i.e., impaired blood supply) without known side effects.

3. Challenges with Medication and Pain Management:

  • Calcium and Vitamin D Supplements: While important for bone health, these supplements alone are not a cure for AVN, as they do not address the underlying issue of blood supply to the affected area.
  • Painkillers: Painkillers may provide temporary relief but do not stop the disease from progressing. Over-reliance on pain medication can mask symptoms, allowing further damage to occur without addressing the root cause.
  • Progressive Nature of AVN: AVN is a progressive disease, and without intervention that restores blood supply or promotes healing, the condition can advance, leading to further deterioration of the hip joint.

4. When Hip Joint Replacement is Necessary:

Hip joint replacement is usually reserved for advanced stages (Grade/Stage 4) of AVN when the joint is severely damaged, and other treatments have failed. In such cases, the benefits of surgery—pain relief and improved quality of life—often outweigh the risks. However, due to the limited lifespan of hip implants, surgery is typically recommended in older patients unless absolutely necessary in younger individuals.

5. The Role of Natural AVN Healing Care:

For patients with early to mid-stage AVN, natural AVN healing care presents a hopeful alternative to surgery. This treatment:

  • Works by improving blood supply and healing damaged tissues, addressing the root cause of the disease.
  • Has shown benefits ranging from delaying the need for hip replacement to potentially preventing it altogether.
  • Is cost-effective and has no known side effects, making it a safer option for many patients.
  • Offers a significant chance to halt disease progression, particularly in patients up to Stage 3 AVN.

Conclusion:

While hip joint replacement is an effective treatment for advanced AVN, many patients can benefit from exploring natural management options, particularly up to Stage 3 of the disease. Regenerative products like natural AVN healing care, combined with lifestyle changes and exercise, can significantly delay or even prevent the need for surgery. For those who do eventually require a hip replacement, this should ideally be postponed to later stages of life to maximize the lifespan of the implant.

Author: Prof. Kiran Bhusare, Managing Director of RegenHealth Life Sciences

Prof. Bhusare has 15 years of experience as Professor and Head of the Pharmacology (Medicine) Department. His expertise in Pharmacology, Therapeutics, Clinical Pharmacy, Pathophysiology.

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