Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head After COVID-19: A Case Series

Abstract

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has adverse effects on various organs and systems. There are isolated reports concerning the development of osteonecrosis after COVID-19. These papers discuss the role of corticosteroids widely used in the treatment of COVID-19 in the development of osteonecrosis. This article presents clinical observations of four patients with bilateral osteonecrosis of the femoral heads after treatment with COVID-19. Prednisone doses in three patients were 4000 mg, 746 mg, and 533 mg. Corticosteroids were not used in one patient. Data showed that osteonecrosis in patients who underwent coronavirus developed in a shorter time compared with this pathology in patients without COVID-19. Two of four patients had a burdened family history (such as myocardial infarction, hypertension, and thrombosis). Hereditary vascular factors possibly played some roles in the genesis of the osteonecrosis of the femoral head in these patients. To understand the features of osteonecrosis development after COVID-19, further accumulation of evidence is necessary. Several synergistically influencing factors are important in the development of this disease after COVID-19.

Keywords

• covid-19
• coronavirus infection
• corticosteroids
• aseptic necrosis
• osteonecrosis