Osteonecrosis following Steroid Therapy in COVID-19 Patients: An Outlook on the Emerging Problem.

Abstract

Steroids are used in management of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with severe illness and their use has been demonstrated to decrease mortality. Although life-saving, steroids are well documented as risk factors for osteonecrosis. Osteonecrosis of the hip can be debilitating and surgery may be required to improve the quality of life. With the increasing number of COVID-19 cases, osteonecrosis of the hip and other joints resulting from steroid use is expected to show a sharp rise in the coming years. In this review we discuss the association between steroids and osteonecrosis, indications for steroid therapy in COVID-19 patients, and incidence, diagnosis, and treatment of osteonecrosis secondary to steroids in COVID-19.