New Treatments For Athletes With AVN : Stem Cell Therapy

CLEARWATER, Fla. - June 24, 2013 - PRLog -- NEW TREATMENT FOR ATHLETES WITH AVN: STEM CELL THERAPY

Press Release Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg Florida www.drlox.com (727) 462-5582

    Avascular necrosis (AVN) according to Dr. Dennis Lox a Tampa Bay, Florida Sports Medicine and Regenerative specialist is just a nightmare scenario for an athlete.

Avascular necrosis (AVN) also known as osteonecrosis or ischemic necrosis, occurs when the blood supply to a region of bone becomes impaired (avascular or ischemia). This in turn results in bone cell death (necrosis). The medical names reflect the disease process. AVN in athletes generally results from trauma, which disrupts the blood supply.

Dr. Lox has seen athletes with the idiopathic variety of AVN, in which no known reason has occurred. www.drlox.com

    Traditionally, AVN may lead to bone collapse which leads to an accelerated joint arthritis. This is the worst scenario for an athlete. Bo Jackson the professional football and baseball player sustained a hip injury while being tackled, and developed AVN. Eventually Jackson had a hip replacement and his professional football career was over.

    Today athletes are looking at stem cell therapy as a means of helping to repair the region of avascular necrosis, and preventing secondary arthritis development. Dr. Lox notes not all athletes will suffer the early affects of joint collapse. Notably Brett Favre continued to play football with the diagnosis of hip AVN. The gamble for the athlete is will it progress if I continue my sport, and will I prompt my injury into a joint replacement?

    Mike Napoli was caught off guard when diagnosed with AVN on a routine team physical, and quickly saw his large contract deteriorate as the result of the diagnosis of avascular necrosis.

    Dr. Lox notes that obviously joint replacement is not great for an athlete’s career; however, a conservative option is stem cell therapy into the joint afflicted with AVN.

Dr. Lox has treated soccer players, tennis players, and runners successfully with AVN. There are factors which are favorably for success and early treatment is advised by Dr. Lox. The key is to have realistic goals and understand the pros and cons of waiting to see if time will be kind to your athletic career, or weigh surgical options. Dr. Lox feels appropriate AVN candidates for stem cell therapy will have a greater chance of healing and repair with stem cell therapy, and thus a better chance for continuing in their chosen sport. After all, they say winning is not everything, however, to an athlete with avascular necrosis, winning is healing and the ability to keep playing your sport. www.drlox.com