Consider the cost of total hip replacement in the post-COVID era — A review article

Abstract

Since January 2020, the entire world has been affected by the COVID-19 epidemic. The issue is getting worse this year since a mutant virus has hit the pandemic harder, and no therapy, except high-dose steroids, is functioning to reduce the harm inflicted by the patient's own body due to self-defence. This treatment to save the patient's life is expected to have several long-term consequences, both as a result of the condition and as a result of the treatment. As orthopaedic surgeons, we are expecting to see an increased incidence of osteonecrosis necrosis of the femoral head shortly, as well as an increase in the number of hip replacement surgeries. In this article, we have discussed the dosage of glucocorticoids and the means through which they are administered, as well as how they can cause femoral head osteonecrosis. The widespread usage of steroids through the parenteral route to address COVID-19's side effects could lead to an increase in the incidence of avascular necrosis of the hip. Unless additional hip preservation techniques, like the use of osteochondral allograft, are developed for routine usage, this will result in a substantial number of replacement surgeries.