ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

FAQ: What Is Avascular Necrosis – A New Post-COVID Complication?

What are the symptoms? How is it related to COVID-19? Here's all you need to know.

Published
F.A.Q
3 min read
story-hero-img
i
Aa
Aa
Small
Aa
Medium
Aa
Large
Hindi Female

A new post-COVID complication – Avascular necrosis (AVN) in COVID-recovered patients – has been detected in a few patients in Mumbai and Delhi.

While three cases were reported in Mumbai's PD Hinduja Hospital, all aged under 40 years, three separate cases were reported in Delhi's BLK Super Specialty Hospital.

While there is no official data regarding the cases, what is avascular necrosis? What are the symptoms? Here's everything we know.

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

What is avascular necrosis (AVN)?

According to Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, avascular necrosis is a disease that results from the temporary or permanent loss of blood supply to the bone. The bone tissue dies and the bone collapses when the blood supply is cut off.

This can happen in any bone and it commonly happens at the ends of a long bone. It can affect one or several bones at one time or different bones at different times.

0

What can be the cause of it?

Overuse of steroids during the treatment of COVID-19 is the major suspect behind this bone damage as medicines can reduce the blood flow in the body, according to the doctors. COVID patients without any prior hip or joint problems can also have AVN complications.

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

How can it be diagnosed?

To understand the diagnosis, we'll have to understand the stages of it.

According to a report published in Factchecker, it can be classified into four stages. In stage one, it can only be seen on MRIs and bone scans. In stage two, it can seen on X-rays. In stage three, you'll need a hip replacement because it starts collapsing. In the fourth stage, hip replacement is the option available where the damaged bone is removed and replaced with prosthetics.

Doctors have stressed on diagnosing the disease early as it can be treated but if it is diagnosed at a later stage, the person may have to undergo a joint replacement.

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

What are the symptoms?

Some symptoms, according to Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine are:

  • Joint pain

  • Persistent hip pain

  • Limited range of motion due to pain

Is there any treatment available for it?

On early suspicion, for a post-COVID-19 patient, it can be diagnosed by early MRI and can be treated with bisphosphonate therapy, reported Factchecker.

According to the doctors, surgery is only required in the final or advanced stage.

Dr Ishwar Bohra, Senior consultant, Joint replacement Surgeon, Centre for orthopaedics, BLK institute for Bone, joint replacement told ANI:

"Bone death is not new, but now is being seen as a post-COVID-19 effect. Like other post-COVID sufferings, recently we are seeing in the bone and joint segment avascular necrosis of the femoral head because lots of steroids use in the Covid treatment. The hip and shoulder are the areas which should not be ignored, if there is pain."

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

How common is it?

Not all COVID patients who are on steroids will develop AVN. It happens only in those who are sensitive to certain steroids or those who are prone to developing AVN.

Doctors have said that they are observing a rise in the number of AVN cases after the second wave and the commonality here is that they were all survivors of COVID-19, Factchecker reported.

(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)

Read Latest News and Breaking News at The Quint, browse for more from coronavirus and faq

Topics:  coronavirus FAQ   COVID FAQ 

Speaking truth to power requires allies like you.
Become a Member
3 months
12 months
12 months
Check Member Benefits
Read More
×
×