Bone Decompression for Avascular Necrosis prior to Resurfacing

[sfinrecovery]

Hi, colleagues, has anyone done or know about Bone Decompression for Avascular Necrosis?  My doctor wants to do this procedure BEFORE the resurfacing.  I have read multiple docs on this process and it seems its success rate is questionable.  Additionally, would this process weaken the femur head/ neck when I have the Resurfacing?

Thanks!

Juan

[Pat Walter]

Hi

I have not had bone decompression and don't have any studies posted. But over the last 5 years, I have read a handful of stories where the people wished they had just gone for resurfacing first.  There is a long period of recovery after decompression as I understand it.  I did meet a person at in my pt 4 years ago and he said he wished he had just gotten a THR and been done with it.  His healing was very slow with the amount of weight limited on the treated hip.

Hopefully, some others will talk with you.  If you want some input from the top surgeons, you can email them and ask their opinons.  Dr. Gross, Dr. De Smet, Dr. Bose, etc will answer your email if you send a copy of your x-rays in a digital format and tell them your story.  Get information from the top surgeons in the field.  Then you will have good information to make a decision.

Pat