| Core Decompression |
Submitted by midian on 20 February, 2009 - 21:49
(2 votes)
Treatment Category:
Surgery
Treatment Summary:
A “Core Decompression” is a surgical technique where a surgeon uses a special hollow drill bit to remove cores, or plugs of bone from a necrotic site.
Potential Benefits:
A Core Decompression has several intended purposes and potential benefits:
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Alleviate pain associated with AVN
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Many patients report immediate pain relief post procedure.
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Nearly all patients report that the procedure renders significant pain relief over time.
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Some patients experience such a significant level of pain relief that even patients with extreme or advanced AVN can completely discontinue narcotic pain medication.
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Provide vents so that built-up pressure and fluids inside the bone can escape
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Patients with advanced stage AVN often experience fluid and pressure build-up inside the bone itself as the body attempts to breakdown the dead bone tissue. Trapped inside the bone and with nowhere to go, this extreme pressure can be not only destructive and painful, but it can increase swelling and damage to the site as a whole.
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Venting of pressure and fluids can slow further bone degradation.
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Cause bleeding of the bone site to aid natural healing and spur revascularization of the necrotic bone
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The bleeding following a procedure can help trigger the body's healing response and potentially heal areas much larger than just the site of core removal.
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Some researchers think that bleeding can also trigger a chemical reaction that plays a part in signaling the body to heal the bone.
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Potential Risks:
A Core Decompression has a number of serious and potentially life-threatening risks:
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Drilling into already damaged bone can hasten or actually cause collapse of the area
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A significant number of patients go through the procedure only to find that the procedure worsens their condition or weakens the bone to the point of collapse.
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Post-surgery bleeding can cause blood clotting.
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There is a risk that if blood clots form in an area near a major artery that the clot could break loose and flow through to the heart, lungs, or other vital organ.
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Treatment Details:
Procedure
Core Decompression techniques vary a great deal by doctor and region. Technique variances include different drill sizes, location and depth of the procedure, and aggressiveness of dead bone removal. In general, the procedure is a short surgical procedure and the patient is put completely asleep under general anesthesia. The surgeon cuts small incisions through the skin to expose the necrotic bone. Using a drill guide, the surgeon then plunges the drill through the necrotic bone to remove the desired number of cores. Upon completion of the core removal, standard sutures are tied to close and seal the wound. Usually, most procedures take less than 30 minutes.
Varying Opinions By Doctor
Due to the many technique variances, it is critical to research each particular surgeon individually and consider individual technique traits and track records when analyzing this procedure. In short, some surgeons have been more successful with this procedure than others. As a result, opinions about the core decompression procedure vary widely from positive to negative depending on the doctor interviewed. In the negative, some orthopedic surgeons dismiss core decompressions as dangerous, destructive, and ineffective in the long-term treatment of AVN. However, from the positive viewpoint, other surgeons deem core decompressions as highly effective and beneficial procedures. In order to truly understand your surgical options, we highly recommend consulting a number of surgeons about your particular case.
core decompression
I had two core dec. on hips and both were well, 1996 - 2000, better than hips replacement at 38yo, it´s a pity that I had continued with pain, non severe one. Now I´m waiting for a future replacement, I hope it will be long time.
Free pain days for all from Madrid
JOSE LUIS
MADRID - SPAIN