Avascular Necrosis, Hip Replacements and Sickle Cell

What to do with AVN when you are young?
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One and a half years ago I had a hip replacement and I am young (in my early 20s). I had AVN in my left hip which progressively got worse over the course of 8 years to the point where I could barely walk a few meters without wanting to cry my eyes out in pain. I was in constant pain all day long. So I got to the point where I demanded having the surgery.

1.You can try the decompression thing

2. You can try injections inserted in the joints to temporarily replace the cartilage (keep in mind this procedure is usually for Osteoarthritis not AVN but it might help – speak with your physician).

3. Do sports with low physical contact like swimming and biking to keep your mobility

4. Ask about getting a bone graft, if your AVN isn’t too bad they could do a minor surgery to preserve the bone as is (I’m not sure if this is a temporary solution or if it’s good for life – speak to your physician)

5. Don’t believe them when they said you’re too young. Surgery is scary. The recovery process will take a few months with physio but it’s better than living in constant pain. Technology is so much better these days, your replacement will last you at least 20 years minimum. That is, if you don’t do any hardcore contact sports like running, soccer, etc…

All the best, xo

Keelie

SC Warrior

1 Comment

  1. Liz on July 17, 2018 at 11:50 am

    Hi my name is Lizeth, I’m 22 and I’m from Colombia. I was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia when I was 3 and since then I’m constantly in hospitals. When I was 8 I had AVN in my left hip and I had a surgery to preserve the bone. And it was great until I was 17, then the pain was awful and I had arthrosis but the doctors said I was too young for a hip replacement so I was in pain for a full two years and I couldn’t go to university or do anything. I was stuck in my house. But when I was 19, I had the surgery and for me it was very painful and the recovery hard, but with time the pain is less and I can do more things. I just hope and pray that I don’t have to deal with this again in my right hip. Thank you for writing this and I would love to talk with someone with sickle cell anemia because I haven’t, that would be great to share what we’ve been through 🙂



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