Overuse of steroids may trigger destruction of hip joint

Steroid use entails a real risk of avascular necrosis of the hip in which blood supply to bone is reduced and it begins to die and deform.

- Dr. Mrinal Sharma

• There is a spike of 20-30% in cases of avascular necrosis of hip in post-pandemic period.

Unrestricted consumption of steroids by Covid patients during the pandemic has led to a sharp increase in cases of avascular necrosis of hip (AVN) affecting the hip joint, with even young people in their 20s reporting to hospital with complaints of hip and thigh pain and difficulty walking. They now need to undergo years of treatment that includes physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications, and, in extreme cases, surgical intervention to rebuild the joint or even hip replacement. There is a 20-30% spike in cases of avascular necrosis of hip, also called osteonecrosis, in the post-pandemic period.