Core Decompression for Avascular Necrosis of the Hip
Core Decompression Surgery for Avascular Necrosis of the Hip in Newcastle-under-Lyme
Core decompression is a surgical procedure to treat early stages of avascular necrosis (loss of blood to the bone) and is done to prevent total hip replacement surgery. Mr. Siddharth Govilkar provides expert diagnosis and core decompression procedure for avascular necrosis of the hip in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Mr. Siddharth Govilkar also provides highly specialised care during and after the surgery. Contact Mr. Siddharth Govilkar’s team for an appointment today!
What is Core Decompression for Avascular Necrosis?
The hip joint is a ball and socket joint, where the head of the thighbone (femur) articulates with the cavity (acetabulum) of the pelvic bone.
Sickle cell disease, a group of disorders that affect the haemoglobin or oxygen-carrying component of blood, causes avascular necrosis or the death of bone tissue in the hip due to lack of blood supply.
Avascular necrosis commonly affects the head of the femur. Necrosis leads to tiny cracks in the bone which finally causes the head of the femur to collapse. The condition causes pain due to increased pressure in the blood vessels of the bone marrow in the region of necrosis.
Early stages of avascular necrosis can be treated by core decompression surgery, which reduces pressure, promotes blood flow, and encourage healing of the bone.
Indications for Core Decompression
Core decompression is indicated in the early stages of avascular necrosis when the surface of the head is still smooth and round. It is done to prevent total hip replacement surgery, which is indicated for severe cases of avascular necrosis and involves the replacement of the hip joint with an artificial device or prosthesis.
Core Decompression Procedure in Detail
Core decompression is done under spinal or general anaesthesia. The patient is placed on his/her back in a supine position. Live X-ray imaging or fluoroscopy is used to guide your surgeon during the procedure.
- A small incision is made on your hip and a guidewire is passed from the incision through the neck of the femoral bone to the necrotic area in the femoral head. A hole is then drilled along the wire.
- The necrotic bone is then removed. This reduces the pressure immediately and creates space for the new blood vessels to grow and nourish the existing bone.
- The cavity that is left behind in the bone is sometimes filled with bone graft taken either from another part of your body or a cadaver. Sometimes, synthetic bone graft material is used.
- The incision is then closed with sutures. Another variation of the same surgery involves drilling very small diameter holes from a single point. The surgical wound, in this case, is very small and may require only a single suture.
Postoperative Care following Core Decompression of the Hip
After the operation, crutches are to be used for 6 to 12 weeks to prevent weight-bearing at the hip joint until the femur bone heals completely. You will be able to resume your regular activities 3 months after the surgery.
Advantages of Core Decompression
The advantages of core decompression include the following:
- Prevents complications of collapse of the femoral head
- Preserves bone of the femur
- Delays the need for total hip replacement where the diseased femur head is replaced with an artificial prosthesis.
Risks and Complications of Core Decompression
- Fracture along the core track
- Perforations in the femoral head
- Deep vein thrombosis
If you would like to have additional information on the treatment of avascular necrosis of the hip or would like to learn more about core decompression procedure, please contact Mr. Siddharth Govilkar, serving the communities of Newcastle-under-Lyme.
