Femoral Head Avascular Necrosis Medication

  • Author: John D Kelly IV, MD; Chief Editor: Sherwin SW Ho, MD   more...
 
Updated: Feb 28, 2010
 

Medication Summary

Medical therapy for AVN of the hip is principally indicated for relief of discomfort. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and, on occasion, narcotics, form the basis of pharmacotherapy. Investigations into vasoactive lipid-lowering agents and anticoagulants are ongoing and hold promise[4, 14, 15] ; however, these medications are not currently recommended. Inhibition of the vascular endothelial growth factor may hold promise in preventing femoral head collapse because revascularization compromises bone structural integrity. Because medical comorbidities are common in patients with AVN, the use of selective cyclooxygenase (COX)–2 inhibitors is appealing.

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Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors

Class Summary

These agents inhibit primarily COX-2, an isoenzyme that is induced during pain and in response to inflammatory stimuli. Inhibition of COX-1 may contribute to NSAID gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity. At therapeutic concentrations, COX-1 isoenzyme is not inhibited, thus GI toxicity may be decreased.

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Celecoxib (Celebrex)

 

Selective COX-2 inhibitor with improved GI tolerability over first-generation NSAIDs

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

John D Kelly IV, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Consulting Surgeon Shriner's Hospital for Surgery

John D Kelly IV, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy Association of North America, Eastern Orthopaedic Association, Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Society, and Philadelphia County Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

David Wald, DO, FACOEP  Assistant Program Director, Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Emergency Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine

David Wald, DO, FACOEP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Gerard A Malanga, MD  Director of Pain Management, Overlook Hospital; Director of PM&R Sports Medicine Fellowship, Atlantic Health; Clinical Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School; Clinical Chief, Rehabilitation Medicine and Electrodiagnosis, St Michael's Medical Center; Fellow, American College of Sports Medicine

Gerard A Malanga, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American College of Sports Medicine, North American Spine Society, and Physiatric Association of Spine, Sports and Occupational Rehabilitation

Disclosure: Cephalon Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Endo Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Forest Labs Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine

Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Jon B Whitehurst, MD  Clinical Instructor of Surgery, University of Illinois College of Medicine; Partner and Executive Board Member, Rockford Orthopedic Associates; Orthopedic Chairman, Rockford Memorial Hospital

Jon B Whitehurst, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and Arthroscopy Association of North America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Sherwin SW Ho, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, Section of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Chicago

Sherwin SW Ho, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and Arthroscopy Association of North America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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