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Orthopedic surgeons warns a bounce in auscular necrosis and delicate bones among the survivors, triggered by steroids and immunity
Doctors are looking at weak bones that break the pain of easily and long -lasting hips due to dying bone tissue. (PEXELS image for representation)
Heart Attack -Covid -19 became the face of complications, a serious reminiscent that the effects of Koronwirus were not left after the fever broke. But under the noise of cardiac emergency conditions, another silent result is moving away on the young body-avskular necrosis (AVN) or “bone death”-which is being diagnosed rapidly in young and middle-aged adults.
After Covid-19, many people are returning to hospitals with severe bone and joint problems. Doctors are looking at weak bones that easily break the pain of long -lasting hip, and even patients have abnormal bone growth in patients who have spent long spent in ICU or medium for heavy doses of steroids.
Doctors have warned that beyond the heart and lungs, the epidemic has surpassed many bones diseases, especially AVNs of Auscular Necrosis or Hips. Orthopedic experts in leading hospitals told NEWS18 about “a sharp increase” in AVN cases after Kovid -19, especially in their 20, 30 and 40s patients who did not have a back bone problem.
According to medical magazines, the steroid administration has become the most consistent reason among those who develop the situation. Even limited high-witted courses, as used in covid-19 treatment, increase the possibility of development of the disease.
A hidden complexity
According to orthopedic experts, they are watching a sharp increase in AVN cases after Covid-19, especially in patients with their 20s-40s, who did not have prior bone problems. These were otherwise a healthy person, but months after recovering from Kovid -19, many returned with crippling pain in their hips and joints.
The condition occurs when the blood supply to the bone is restricted, causing tissue death, most often in the joint of the hip. Traditionally, it was associated with old age or long -term steroid use. But doctors say that the epidemic has rebuilt the profile.
“Now we are seeing AVN in people under 30 years of age, even without any pre -bone issues,” Paras Health, Dr. of Gurugram. Arvind Mehra said. He reported that high doses of steroids, used as life -saving treatment during Kovid -19, are among the major triggers. “We have seen a significant increase in the events of Auscular Necrosis (AVN) after Covid-19, especially in patients who were moderate to severe infections.”
Similarly, the Chairman of the series of Bangalore-based hospitals, Dr. Sharan Shivraj Patil told News18 that the incident of auskular necrosis of the hips has “gone through the roof”. “The occurrence of auskular necrosis of the hips has gone through the roof. In this situation, the hip has fallen. In the past, we have never seen so much need for hip replacement or surgical intervention, even in young patients.
Symptoms: Pain that does not go away
For most patients, symptoms begin as an discomfort in the hip or thigh. Over time, the pain intensifies, prohibits walking, climbing the stairs, or even cross-leagged. Early scans often recall it, meaning that diagnosis is delayed until the damage deteriorates.
“Patients usually come up with chronic joint pain, especially in the hips, knees or shoulders. The pain usually begins as a slight discomfort, but gradually grows and can restrict movement. Quickly, it may not be visible on normal X-rays, so it is usually required for a proper diagnosis,” by mehra.
Dr. of Fortis Hospital, Greater Noida. Bharat Goswami said, “Symptoms usually appear three to six months after Kovid -19.” “Till then, many patients are already lame or unable to bear weight properly. The pain begins or around the hip (waist area), thigh, and buttocks and sometimes reaches the knee.”
Bone diseases
“Middle -age patients who were aggressively treated with steroids are now coming back with serious hip problems,” Dr. of Amrita Hospital, Faridabad. Sahil Gaba said. “It is worrying because it affects people in their most productive years.”
GABA noticed that after recovering from infection, many patients, for months or years, are now coming forward with musculoskeletal problems. “Osteoporosis, Fraglity Fracture, Avskular Necrosis (AVN) and Heterotopic Ocification (HO) are the top conditions that affect people’s post -coup -19.
In osteoporosis, he said, patients normally reduced bone pain, low mobility, and in some cases are fractured even after minor fall or injuries. “Studies have shown that the use of long-term steroids during covid-19 treatment can accelerate the loss of bone density, making patients unsafe.”
In delicate fractures, people are “suffering from sudden fractures in weak bones, especially for hip and spine, which can be without any major trauma”. For an old adult, he said, even a simple task such as bending or slightly slipping can lead to a serious fracture.
A condition called heterotopic osification (HO) is seen in patients who have kept the ICU entry for a long time. “This condition presents with painful hardness in the joints and sometimes has a hard lump near the affected area. This occurs when bone tissues begin to form in places where it should not happen, such as muscles or tendons.”
Not just the elderly
The epidemic has formed two separate groups of bone patients. Older adults are facing quick osteoporosis and delicate fractures – bones so weak that even a small slip can cause brakes. But among young adults, AVN standout has become a concern.
Paras’s Mehra told News18 that he is looking at AVN in persons between the ages of 30 to 55 years “which is less than traditional demographic”.
“We have seen AVN in young patients even in the early 20s and 30s. The underlying connection was a history of the Kovid -19 infection, after which after steroid therapy, with a period of sedentary rest and inadequate nutrition, which could have a hurry to the bone agreement.”
Why time matters
Treatment completely depends on how quickly the diagnosis of AVN is. In the early stages, processes such as core decomposition can save the natural hip joint. But if the bone collapses, the total hip replacement becomes unavoidable. This is especially challenging for young patients, as the life of artificial transplants is only 15–20 years.
“It is important to find the initial detection,” Mehra insisted. “If caught on time, we can preserve the joint. Delay often means replacement surgery at a very young age, as much as we ever expect.”
Cardiac complications have been widely discussed after Covid-19. However, doctors warns that bone health risk are becoming a silent epidemics.
“Kovid -19 not just left marks on the lungs or heart -it also damages bones,” Gaba said. “Now we are watching afterchox in clinics every week.”
What does scientific evidence say
According to orthopedic surgery and research journal, it is possible that time-confined high-composite corticosteroid administration in patients with severe covid-19 infections also increased the incidence of AVN. “Covid-19 different time from infection was finished for the development of symptomatic AVN. Given the high risk of bias in all the studies involved, the quality of the current investigation is low, and no reliable conclusions can be drawn.”
Another study has shown that the cumulative steroid dose is the primary determinant of osteonacrosis of the severity of the femoral head (ONFH) in later patients after Cov -19. “Additionally, the joint use of corticosteroids may accelerate the onset of Onfh, highlighting the need for cautious steroid management in covid-19 patients.”
In simple terms, the fea is the round top of the thigh bone (femur) that fits your hip socket. In Onfh, the hip bone “dies” due to lack of blood flow, causing pain and joint damage.
Similarly, a study published in MDPI magazine found that “several studies have mainly focused on the short -term effects of Kovid -19 on bone and/or joint health.”
It was found that short-term bone loss is estimated in persons that rest in beds for a long time and which are treated with corticosteroids, and are usually seen in severe cases of covid-19. “Prolonged immobility reduces mechanical loading on bones, which accelerates bone resurrection and decreases bone formation, which is well documented in hospitalizations or studies associated with bed-bound patients.”
“Additionally, corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone and prednisone, are often administered to manage severe covid -19 symptoms; however, they are known to inspire bone loss by impairing calcium absorption, raising calcium absorption and disrupting osteoblast functions.
Therefore, these factors contribute to an increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures, emphasizing the need for careful management of bone health in these patients.
Senior Associate Editor of CNN NEWS18 Himani Chandana, specializes in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. For the first time in India’s Kovid -19 battle, she brings an experienced perspective. He is special …Read more
Senior Associate Editor of CNN NEWS18 Himani Chandana, specializes in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. For the first time in India’s Kovid -19 battle, she brings an experienced perspective. He is special … Read more
02 October, 2025, 10:22 IST
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