Multifocal avascular necrosis after short-term high-dose steroid therapy. A report of three cases
- 1 May 1984
- journal article
- Published by British Editorial Society of Bone & Joint Surgery in The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. British volume
- Vol. 66-B (3) , 431-433
- https://doi.org/10.1302/0301-620x.66b3.6725356
Abstract
Avascular necrosis of bone is a well-recognised phenomenon in patients on long-term steroid therapy, especially after renal transplantation. There are only four cases reported in the literature of multifocal avascular necrosis after short-term high-dose steroid therapy, and three additional cases are reported in this paper. All the hips have needed reconstructive surgery within two and a half years of the onset of symptoms; in one patient, however, this has been prevented by other medical problems. In two of the three patients reported in this paper the shoulders also were affected; eventually they became pain-free but movement was restricted. Short-term high-dose steroid therapy has only recently been recognised as a cause of avascular necrosis and attempts should be made to prevent the incidence increasing.Keywords
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