Simultaneous bilateral avascular necrosis of the humerus and femur in long COVID-19: a case report

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has prompted the widespread use of corticosteroids as a treatment strategy, particularly in cases of severe pneumonia and cytokine storm. While this therapy has saved countless lives, its s...

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Main Authors: Mesut Bakır, Şebnem Rumeli
Format: Article
Language:Russian
Published: Vreden Russian Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics 2024-12-01
Series:Travmatologiâ i Ortopediâ Rossii
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journal.rniito.org/jour/article/viewFile/17601/pdf
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author Mesut Bakır
Şebnem Rumeli
author_facet Mesut Bakır
Şebnem Rumeli
author_sort Mesut Bakır
collection DOAJ
description Background. The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has prompted the widespread use of corticosteroids as a treatment strategy, particularly in cases of severe pneumonia and cytokine storm. While this therapy has saved countless lives, its side effects have also been well-documented, including the development of avascular necrosis. Case presentation. This case report presents a rare instance of simultaneous bilateral avascular necrosis (AVN) affecting both the humeral and femoral heads in a 49-year-old male patient recovering from severe COVID-19. The patient was treated with high-dose corticosteroids, receiving 1250 mg of prednisolone over five days during hospitalization for COVID-19 pneumonia. Six months after discharge, he developed persistent hip pain, which was later diagnosed as AVN in both femoral heads. During hyperbaric oxygen therapy, the patient reported new shoulder pain, and MRI confirmed stage III AVN in both humeral heads. The patient’s pain was managed with bilateral suprascapular nerve radiofrequency ablation and bilateral Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) blocks, which provided significant relief. Conclusions. This case emphasizes the potential for corticosteroid-induced AVN, even months after treatment, and underscores the need for long-term monitoring of patients receiving corticosteroids for COVID-19. The involvement of four major joints highlights the severe musculoskeletal complications that can arise, supporting the importance of early diagnosis and timely intervention for pain relief.
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institution Kabale University
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publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher Vreden Russian Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics
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spelling doaj-art-02cdca856d6b475f85ed9f99953986712025-01-20T02:43:24ZrusVreden Russian Research Institute of Traumatology and OrthopedicsTravmatologiâ i Ortopediâ Rossii2311-29052542-09332024-12-0130414014510.17816/2311-2905-176011380Simultaneous bilateral avascular necrosis of the humerus and femur in long COVID-19: a case reportMesut Bakır0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3627-3882Şebnem Rumeli1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7042-6934Mersin University, Faculty of Medicine, Division of AlgologyMersin University, Faculty of Medicine, Division of AlgologyBackground. The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has prompted the widespread use of corticosteroids as a treatment strategy, particularly in cases of severe pneumonia and cytokine storm. While this therapy has saved countless lives, its side effects have also been well-documented, including the development of avascular necrosis. Case presentation. This case report presents a rare instance of simultaneous bilateral avascular necrosis (AVN) affecting both the humeral and femoral heads in a 49-year-old male patient recovering from severe COVID-19. The patient was treated with high-dose corticosteroids, receiving 1250 mg of prednisolone over five days during hospitalization for COVID-19 pneumonia. Six months after discharge, he developed persistent hip pain, which was later diagnosed as AVN in both femoral heads. During hyperbaric oxygen therapy, the patient reported new shoulder pain, and MRI confirmed stage III AVN in both humeral heads. The patient’s pain was managed with bilateral suprascapular nerve radiofrequency ablation and bilateral Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) blocks, which provided significant relief. Conclusions. This case emphasizes the potential for corticosteroid-induced AVN, even months after treatment, and underscores the need for long-term monitoring of patients receiving corticosteroids for COVID-19. The involvement of four major joints highlights the severe musculoskeletal complications that can arise, supporting the importance of early diagnosis and timely intervention for pain relief.https://journal.rniito.org/jour/article/viewFile/17601/pdfavascular necrosishipshouldercorticosteroid therapycovid-19 complications
spellingShingle Mesut Bakır
Şebnem Rumeli
Simultaneous bilateral avascular necrosis of the humerus and femur in long COVID-19: a case report
Travmatologiâ i Ortopediâ Rossii
avascular necrosis
hip
shoulder
corticosteroid therapy
covid-19 complications
title Simultaneous bilateral avascular necrosis of the humerus and femur in long COVID-19: a case report
title_full Simultaneous bilateral avascular necrosis of the humerus and femur in long COVID-19: a case report
title_fullStr Simultaneous bilateral avascular necrosis of the humerus and femur in long COVID-19: a case report
title_full_unstemmed Simultaneous bilateral avascular necrosis of the humerus and femur in long COVID-19: a case report
title_short Simultaneous bilateral avascular necrosis of the humerus and femur in long COVID-19: a case report
title_sort simultaneous bilateral avascular necrosis of the humerus and femur in long covid 19 a case report
topic avascular necrosis
hip
shoulder
corticosteroid therapy
covid-19 complications
url https://journal.rniito.org/jour/article/viewFile/17601/pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT mesutbakır simultaneousbilateralavascularnecrosisofthehumerusandfemurinlongcovid19acasereport
AT sebnemrumeli simultaneousbilateralavascularnecrosisofthehumerusandfemurinlongcovid19acasereport