Orthopedic Hip Surgeons of NYC (located in Midtown Manhattan, New York) are specialists in hip surgery including avascular necrosis / osteoporosis of the hip. Avascular necrosis / osteoporosis of the hip (often referred to as “AVN”), also called osteonecrosis, aseptic necrosis, or ischemic bonenecrosis, is a medical condition that occurs from the temporary or permanent loss of blood to the bone. Avascular necrosis of the hip can successfully be surgically treated by the NYC orthopedic surgeon.
Appropriate treatment for avascular necrosis of the hip is necessary to keep joints from breaking down. Without treatment, most people with this medical condition will experience severe pain and limitation in movement. To determine the most appropriate treatment, the doctor considers the following:
- The age of the patient
- The stage of the disease (early or late)
- The location and whether bone is affected over a small or large area
- The underlying cause of osteonecrosis; with an ongoing cause such as corticosteroid or alcohol use, treatment may not work unless use of the substance is stopped
Surgical Treatment for Avascular Necrosis / Osteoporosis of the Hip
Orthopedic Hip Surgeons of NYC offer a variety of surgical procedures to treat osteonecrosis. Most people with avascular necrosis of the hip / osteonecrosis will eventually need surgery.
- Core decompression: This hip surgery removes the inner cylinder of bone, which reduces pressure within the bone, increases blood flow to the bone, and allows more blood vessels to form. This procedure is best suited for people who are in the earliest stages of osteonecrosis, often before the collapse of the joint.
- Osteotomy: This highly customizable surgical treatment involves reshaping the bone to reduce stress on the affected area of the hip. This procedure is most effective for patients with early stage osteonecrosis.
- Bone graft: With this procedure the orthopedic hip surgeon transplants healthy bone from another part of the body. It is often used to support a joint after core decompression.
- Arthroplasty / total joint replacement: Total joint replacement is considered the best treatment of choice in late-stage avascular necrosis of the hip and when the joint is destroyed. In this orthopedic surgery, the diseased joint is replaced with artificial parts. Total joint replacement, or sometimes femoral head resurfacing, is often recommended for people for whom other efforts to preserve the joint have failed. Various types of replacements are available, and people should discuss specific needs with their doctor.