Avascular Necrosis

Avascular necrosis occurs when blood supply to bone tissue is reduced or interrupted. Without sufficient oxygen delivery, bone cells fail to maintain structural integrity, leading to progressive tissue compromise. Early AVN is a metabolic failure, not merely a structural issue.

Once structural collapse begins, regenerative options become limited. HBOT is most effective when introduced before significant bone deformation occurs, allowing oxygen-driven repair mechanisms to stabilize the femoral head and preserve joint function.

HBOT increases tissue oxygen levels beyond what is achievable through normal breathing. Under pressurized conditions, oxygen dissolves directly into plasma, reaching areas with compromised blood flow. This metabolic effect supports bone cell recovery, reduces intraosseous pressure, and promotes angiogenesis.

Traditional orthopedic management focuses on joint replacement once structural failure occurs. A regenerative model, such as the one used at Hyperbaric Medical Solutions, aims to preserve native bone through metabolic correction rather than immediate surgical replacement when possible.

PRP Therapy, available at Hyperbaric Medical Solutions, can be used alongside HBOT to improve cellular response. Increased oxygenation enhances the effectiveness of platelet-derived growth factors, stem cell activity, and tissue signaling involved in bone repair.

Research such as Camporesi et al. (2010) demonstrated long-term pain reduction and surgery avoidance following HBOT. Extended outcome data published in 2024 (PMC) and PubMed Central 2024 reinforced structural stability findings. Yale Medicine also identifies HBOT as a bone preservation strategy when applied early in AVN progression.