Avascular necrosis, popularly known as AVN, refers to the death of bone tissue caused by disrupted blood flow within the bone. This condition may affect anyone in the ends of the bone that terminate in a joint. The common areas of occurrence include the ankle, elbow, shoulder, jaw, and hip, with the hip being the most common.
AVN can be a serious condition, but fortunately, different treatment approaches, including surgical and non-surgical, are available to address the condition. Upon experiencing the symptoms, it is advisable to schedule an appointment with the doctor and get your condition diagnosed. If you have been diagnosed with AVN of the hip, the doctor will begin suitable treatment.
What is AVN of the Hip?
The hip comprises a ball and socket joint. The ball is the head of the femur with a rounded, ball-like shape. The socket looks like a cup, present in the part of the pelvis. The rounded head of the femur fits inside this cup. When the hip moves, the head rotates within it. When AVN occurs in the hip joint, it affects the femoral head, disrupting the supply of blood and leading to the death of the bone tissue.
In many cases, AVN is looked upon as a progressive condition, and as it worsens, the affected bone tissue starts to degenerate. It is, therefore, essential to start the treatment as soon as the doctor diagnoses this condition.
What Causes AVN of the Hip?
The causes of AVN of the hip may be traumatic or non-traumatic.
- Traumatic AVN of the hip occurs when any trauma interrupts the blood flow to the femoral head. It can develop after problems like fracture, dislocation, or previous hip surgery.
- Non-traumatic AVN of the hip can be because of several risk factors, including prolonged use of corticosteroids and excessive alcohol. Other causes include smoking, systemic lupus erythematosus, sickle cell disease, previous chemotherapy, decompression sickness, previous radiation therapy, HIV infection, chronic liver disease, and more.
How is AVN of the Hip Diagnosed?
If you experience constant pain in your hip joint that doesn’t fade with time, it is advisable to set up an appointment with your doctor. To diagnose this condition, the doctor do the following.
- The diagnosis includes inquiring about the symptoms of the condition. The doctor will ask for how long you have been experiencing pain in your hips and its intensity.
- Your medical history will be reviewed to see if you have any risk factors for this condition, such as previous hip injury, medical condition associated with the AVN of the hip, use of corticosteroid, and more.
- A physical examination will take place in which the doctor will closely examine your hip and move it around to check if certain positions cause pain.
- They will order imaging tests, including X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging, and other scans to confirm the diagnosis.
- Several blood tests will be ordered to determine the underlying cause of AVN.
- If you have been diagnosed with AVN of the hip, they will determine the stage of the condition to plan the best treatment.
What does AVN Hip Surgery Look like?
Surgical treatment of the AVN happens later when the medication and other therapies fail to improve your condition. Surgery aims to improve your symptoms and prevent or slow down the progression of the condition to improve hip joint function.
Depending on the severity of your condition, the doctor will choose from the following options:
Core Decompression
It is a minimally invasive surgery that involves drilling into the part of the femoral head affected by AVN. It is used in the early stages of AVN of the hip and restores the blood flow to reduce pain and discomfort. The doctor may also combine it with stem cell therapy in some cases.
Bone Grafting
This procedure involves using a synthetic bone material or a healthy bone from anywhere in your body or from a donor. The bone is transplanted to the area of the femoral head affected by the AVN to stimulate new bone growth.
Total Hip Replacement Surgery
The doctor will use this treatment when the femoral head collapses, leading to substantial damage to the hip joint or acetabulum. Under this surgery, the surgeon replaces the bones that form the joint with man made components.
What Does AVN Total Hip Replacement Surgery Look Like?
The recovery after AVN hip surgery depends on your response to the treatment. After the surgery, you will be made to stay in the hospital for a few days, where the care team will monitor your condition. You will be given physiotherapy to recover smoothly. It may take a few weeks to a few months to fully heal from the surgery.
What is the Cost of AVN Total Hip Replacement Surgery in Delhi?
The overall cost of AVN hip replacement surgery in Delhi is characterised by several conditions, including the hospital and surgeon you choose. It ranges anywhere from 2.8 lakh to 3.5 lakh, respectively.
