Short-term Follow-up of Autologous Adult Live-Cultured Osteoblasts Implantation in Avascular Necrosis of Femoral Head Secondary to Sickle Cell Anemia-Case Series.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head in sickle cell anemia is 50% whereas untreated cases lead to total hip replacement. The recent development in cellular therapy paves the way to utilize autologous adult live-cultured osteoblasts (AALCO) in the management of AVN of the femoral head secondary to sickle cell anemia.

CASE REPORT: We performed AALCO implantation in sickle cell anemia cases with AVN of the femoral head and were followed up for 6 months with the regular recording of visual analog score and modified Harris Hip Score.

CONCLUSION: AALCO implantation for the management of AVN of the femoral head due to sickle cell anemia appears to be the biological management of choice as it results in pain reduction and improvement in function.