Dr. Vinod Varki is a medical oncologist and hematologist at Medical Oncology and Hematology at Mercy in Baltimore, a division of The Institute for Cancer Care at Mercy.
Mercy doctors offer a breakthrough treatment for hepatitis C that cures most patients and saves lives. Hepatitis C is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus and can lead to permanent liver damage if untreated.
The Institute for Gynecologic Care is the flagship Center of Excellence in the highly respected and widely acclaimed Weinberg Center for Women’s Health & Medicine at Mercy.
Mercy offers emergency care on the Downtown Baltimore campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (410-332-9477) with access to a trained emergency medicine team, diagnostic services and consultations with specialists.
In case of an Emergency, Dial 911 and follow the instructions of the EMS (Emergency Medical Services) team.
Mercy Medical Center's downtown campus includes our Main Hospital - The Mary Catherine Bunting Center, McAuley Plaza and The Weinberg Center.
General visiting hours at Mercy are 11:00 am to 8:30 pm. Hours vary by floor, please check with the nursing staff or call 410-332-9555.
At Orthopedics and Joint Replacement at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland, our orthopedic surgeons specialize in joint preservation and reconstruction. Patients from across the Baltimore region seek the expertise of our doctors for their advanced skills in treating avascular necrosis of the hip and knee.
Avascular necrosis is a condition in which a portion of bone dies due to loss of blood supply. When blood flow to the bone is disrupted, the bone begins to fracture and eventually can collapse. Blood flow to bones can be disrupted due to trauma, joint dislocation or pressure in the bone due to medical conditions such as sickle cell anemia, lupus or Gaucher’s disease.
Certain medications, such as steroids, and excessive drinking can cause fat to build in the blood preventing the blood from reaching the bones. Avascular necrosis most commonly affects the hip, but also can affect the knee, shoulder, hand and foot.
Avascular necrosis initially may not cause any symptoms. As avascular necrosis develops, joints may begin to hurt with activity and eventually even while inactive. Symptoms of avascular necrosis can include:
Orthopedic surgeons diagnose avascular necrosis by first performing a physical exam. The painful joint is examined by the orthopedic surgeon while it is moved to test for range of motion. Imaging tests such as X-rays, bone scans and MRIs may be conducted to look for changes in bone structure.
Initial treatment for avascular necrosis includes:
For more severe cases of avascular necrosis, surgery is the best treatment option. Surgical treatments for avascular necrosis can include:
Dr. Philip Neubauer is an orthopedic surgeon providing innovative, minimally invasive treatment options for joint preservation, replacement and reconstruction.
A woman returns to her active lifestyle after an anterior approach hip replacement at Mercy Medical Center.