Avascular necrosis (AVN) is a disease where there is cellular death of bone tissues due to diminished blood supply. Normally, bone continuously breaks down and rebuilds. The process of bone rebuilding takes place after an injury as well as during normal growth. But in Avascular necrosis, the healing process is usually ineffective and the bone tissues break down faster than the body can repair them. When left untreated, the disease progresses, the bone collapses, and the joint surface breaks down, leading to pain and inflammation of the joint.
Avascular necrosis primarily affects the joints at the shoulder, knee, and hip.
Causes: Anything that damages the blood supply to the hip can cause AVN. Injury to the hip bones like Fractures, excessive alcohol intake which damages the blood vessels and some medications are known to cause AVN.
If accident is not the cause, this is due to metabolic dysfunction caused due to toxaemia. If it has any visible stimulating cause like Alcoholism, tobacco addiction or drugs, eventually these have to be abruptly stopped and reversal interventions aiming, activation of circulation and nerve supply has to be started. If it is other lifestyle related toxicity that has led to improper supply of blood leading to AVN, a total lifestyle modification along with Naturopathic interventions would be beneficial.
Symptoms: AVN may be asymptomatic. Pain in the affected joint is typically the presenting symptom of AVN, regardless of the location. The pain may initially be mild but progressively worsens over time and with use. Eventually, the pain is present at rest and may be present at night. Both active and passive joint movements may be restricted and painful. Advanced AVN can cause joint deformity and muscle wasting.
Avascular necrosis natural cures
The naturopathic goal in treating AVN is to improve the patient’s use of the affected joint, stop further damage to the bone & ensure bone and joint survival. The following treatments are aimed at improving the circulation around the hip joint.
Massage: A localized massage from the low back till the knees may improve the condition when given regularly for 10-15 minutes every day. The addition of few drops of wintergreen and lemongrass oil to the massage oil will be of added advantage.
Hydrotherapy: Warm water hip bath when given twice a day for 10 minutes will reduce the pain and stiffness thereby improves the flexibility/ range of motion. Underwater exercises will be of double benefit when performed under expert guidance and support.
Hot and cold fomentation and mud application after hot fomentation are also useful.
Heliotherapy: Sun bath in the dawn and dusk will be beneficial to improve the strength of the bones. Similarly the indoor application of infra red radiation to the affected joint, ie. hip will be helpful.
Exercise and electrotherapy: Specific exercises to improve the range of motion in the hip joint and neuromuscular electrical stimulation will improve the condition. While performing exercise therapy it should be noted that reduced weight bearing in the affected joint can slow the damage caused by avascular necrosis and also permit natural healing.
Yoga: The slow and passive movements involved in the asana practice will improve the muscle strength around the joints involved. This indirectly supports to improve joint range of motion. As like exercise it is important to keeping weight off the sore-side hip while performing standing and sitting series of Asanas.
