Avascular necrosis (AVN) is a medical condition in which, due to various causes, the blood supply to the head of a bony joint is drastically reduced, causing the bone density in the joint to degrade, resulting in causes the collapse of the head-bone joint. . This causes symptoms such as pain, stiffness, and an inability to squat or sit cross-legged. Although AVN is most commonly seen affecting the hip joint, other joints such as the shoulder may also be involved. Excessive or prolonged use of steroids and alcohol; trauma; and some diseases like autoimmune disorders and chronic blood disorders are known to cause this condition.
Although antibiotics have been very effective in treating bacterial infections, new challenges have arisen in the field of medicine, with an alarming increase in the incidence of autoimmune disorders. Steroids have proven to be highly effective as the basis of treatment in autoimmune diseases; however, this has come at a price. In addition to the many side effects that steroids show, AVN has become a major byproduct of long-term steroid use and can be seen in young patients in their twenties and thirties. The condition can occur within a few days to a few weeks, but the resulting physical disability can remain for life. A similar condition in children, known as Perthe’s disease, can reverse on its own within a year or two.
For patients with very mild symptoms and early disease, modern medicine often adopts a “wait and see” policy, with sparing use of pain relievers such as acetaminophen and graduated physical therapy to preserve strength and mobility of the muscles. joints and muscles. Bisphosphonates are recommended for patients with moderate symptoms, to reduce bone demineralization and preserve joint structure. The next step is surgery, known as ‘core decompression’, to reduce stress on the bone head of the affected joint.
Patients with more advanced symptoms and extensive destruction of the head of the joint bone are often recommended for total joint replacement. Joint replacement surgery can be prohibitively expensive; In addition, it may not provide the full range of motion that the person previously had with a normal joint. If causative factors persist, other joints may also be affected.
Most patients who take bisphosphonates or who have had central decompression surgery do not benefit at all or consider the benefits to be transient. Such patients can be treated with Ayurvedic herbal medicines for a period of approximately four to six months and usually gain full and lasting benefit from pain, stiffness, and limitation of movement.
Patients who have the third or fourth stage of the condition generally require higher doses of Ayurvedic oral medications, supplemented by one or several courses of medicated enemas. Most patients with severe AVN involvement recover significantly with regular use of Ayurvedic treatment over a period of approximately eight to twelve months.
In summary, modern treatment is not very effective in controlling severe pain and other symptoms associated with VAP. The much-touted joint replacement surgery is available to only a select few and has its own limitations. Ayurvedic herbal treatment is a complete, safe and affordable treatment for all stages of AVN.