title: SPONTANEOUS OSTEONECROSIS IN AN ATHLETE'S KNEE TREATED USING A HYPERBARIC CHAMBER: CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE.
abstract: Osteonecrosis is a clinical syndrome characterized by osseous necrosis of a load-bearing portion of the femoral condyle, followed by subchondral fracturing, subsequent segmental collapse and arthrosis. It most frequently affects obese women over the age of 55 years. Its treatment is still a matter of controversy in the literature. The authors report the case of a 24-year-old male patient who was a professional soccer player, who presented with a complaint of knee pain one day after physical activity. Imaging examinations performed early on already demonstrated the start of the lesion. The treatment, which was successful, used the following: withdrawal of support, physiotherapy, medications (such as NSAIDs and bisphosphonates) and a hyperbaric chamber. Although hyperbaric chamber therapy is new, its use in association with drug therapy and withdrawal of support may bring good results in treating idiopathic osteonecrosis, even for athletes with high physical demands. However, there is a need for further reports and studies with greater evidence, in order to demonstrate the validity of this treatment.
authors.affiliation: Orthopedist and Traumatologist at New World Fracture Hospital; Physician at Atlètico Paranaense Soccer Club, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Guilherme Campos
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Barroso
authors.affiliation: Orthopedist and Traumatologist at the Clinical Hospital of the Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Thiago
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fuchs
authors.affiliation: Vice-President of the CNMF (National Commission of Soccer Physicians), Brazilian Soccer Confederation; Medical Coordinator at Atlètico Paranaense Soccer Club; MSc and PhD in Surgery from IPEM, Evangelical School of Medicine of Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Edilson
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Thiele
authors.affiliation: Scientific Director of the Medical Department, Atlètico Paranaense Soccer Club; Adjunct Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mônica Nunes
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Lima
keywords: Knee, Athletes; Osteonecrosis