My AVN (Avascular necrosis) Experience

Avascular necrosis is the death of bone tissue due to lack of blood supply. It can lead to tiny breaks in bone and the bones eventually collapse.

Avascular necrosis is a common complication among HBSS patients. Quite a no of sickle cell patients have also undergone hip arthroplasty (partial or complete hip replacement surgery).
  About a week before I developed AVN sometime mid-December 2014, I had recently gained admission into University of Lagos through a diploma program. Registration was on-going and I decided to meet up with some friends on my way out when I fell with my butt on the floor. I didn't feel any pain so I got up and met up with my friends as I had planned earlier.

A week after my fall I had prepared to travel for my grandmother’s remembrance. I woke up that day with an unwelcome familiar ache in my hip. At first I thought I slept in a wrong position but later realized it was crisis pain so I took a tablet of cataflam (a painkiller) and we went on our journey as planned. On getting there I started to limp because the pain had gotten worse so I took another tablet of Cataflam. I was asleep in the car for the most part of our journey back to Lagos because I was exhausted and in pains.
By the time we got home, I started to limp more so I took more pain killers and refused to go to the hospital because it was christmas period and I didn't want to spend Christmas at the hospital.
Pain got worse day by day and walking became practically impossible. When I couldn’t take the pain anymore I decided to go to the hospital and had to be carried around by my brother.

I was treated at the hospital for Vaso occlusive crisis (VOC) however the hip pain persisted while I was no longer feeling other joint pain. I spent the new year in the hospital while my hip pain got worse. Series of x-ray were done but revealed nothing until an orthopaedic surgeon was invited to review me. He diagnosed AVN and said I would need to do a surgery which would take 6 months recovery time. In the meantime, I would be on painkillers and use crutches for ambulation.
We were advised to have the surgery done outside the country precisely U.K. We eventually opted for India because of the delay we experienced getting a U.K visa. I had the surgery done in India as planned and returned back few weeks later.

Unfortunately, there was an infection and the incision site kept breaking out. The implant used at India was eventually removed because of the infection, a wash out surgery was done and the implant was replaced with an antibiotic spacer.
I had a total of 7 surgeries in 2016 and I have one more to go this year. I still walk with my crutches. Over the past couple of months, I have formed an unbreakable bond with my family and three friends who have stood by me. I have met amazing doctors, surgeons, nurses and other people who have inspired me through this journey. I have also had friends who have become mere acquaintances but God has helped me through it all.

By his grace, I know I’ll conquer AVN and infections and walk again because I am a warrior and I’ll keep fighting till I’m a victor.

Yours truly,
Bimpe Shenbo.

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