Avascular Necrosis of the Hip: Can Stem Cells Help Preserve the Joint?
Medically reviewed by Dr. Charles Pereyra, MD — Medical Director, Springs Rejuvenation. Last reviewed June 22, 2026.
Written by the Springs Rejuvenation regenerative medicine team from direct clinical experience administering stem cell and exosome protocols at our Aventura, Miami center.
Avascular necrosis, sometimes called osteonecrosis, is what happens when the blood supply to the head of the thigh bone is disrupted and the bone tissue begins to break down. Caught early it is one of the few hip conditions where joint-preserving approaches, including regenerative options, are genuinely part of the research conversation. Caught late, the joint may collapse and a replacement becomes the realistic answer. Staging is everything.
Why blood supply is the whole story
Bone is living tissue that needs circulation to survive. When that supply is cut off — by injury, certain medications, or other causes — the bone in the femoral head can weaken and, in advanced cases, collapse. The earlier the stage, the more bone there is to preserve, which is exactly why early diagnosis changes the options on the table.
Where regenerative approaches come in
In early-stage avascular necrosis, regenerative and cell-based strategies are studied as a way to support the bone environment, sometimes in combination with a procedure called core decompression that relieves pressure inside the bone. The aim is to support healthier bone before the joint surface is compromised. This is an area of active research, and we are careful not to overstate it: the strongest rationale is in early stages, before collapse.
What the evidence suggests
Several studies pairing core decompression with cell-based therapy have reported improved outcomes and delayed progression in early-stage disease compared with decompression alone, though trial quality varies and longer follow-up is needed. Once the femoral head has collapsed, the evidence for joint preservation weakens considerably and replacement tends to be the more dependable route. The realistic message is that regenerative therapy may help preserve an early hip, not rescue a late one.
How do I know what stage I am?
Staging requires imaging, usually including MRI, which can detect avascular necrosis before changes appear on a plain X-ray. Early detection meaningfully widens your options.
Can stem cells reverse the damage?
No therapy reliably reverses established bone collapse. In early stages the goal is to support the bone and potentially slow progression. Results vary.
Is this urgent?
Time matters more here than in most joint conditions, because options narrow as the disease advances. Prompt evaluation is worthwhile.
How Springs approaches it
Because staging drives everything, we start with proper imaging and an honest discussion of where your hip sits on that spectrum. If you are early, we discuss joint-preserving and regenerative options; if you are advanced, we point you toward the route most likely to help. A free consultation is the first step.
At Springs Rejuvenation, stem cell and exosome therapies are used together as part of a personalized regenerative protocol.
Medical Disclaimer: Stem cell and exosome therapy is not an FDA approved therapy and is considered to be in the experimental stages. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Springs Rejuvenation processes exosomes in an FDA approved lab. Individual results may vary. This content is reviewed for medical accuracy by Dr. Charles Pereyra, MD, Medical Director of Springs Rejuvenation, and is provided for educational purposes only. Always consult a qualified physician.