New Delhi: Even as the nation continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic, three cases of Avascular Necrosis (AVN) have been reported in Delhi’s BLK Super Specialty Hospital among the patients who have recovered from Covid-19.
The patients, who have been detected with Avascular Necrosis, are in 32 to 40 years age group. Two patients are under medication, while one had to undergo surgery.
The health experts dealing with patients suffering from AVN blame it on the overuse of steroids and call it as steroid-induced necrosis of bone.
Dr Ishwar Bohra of BLK Institute for Bone said “AVN is a post-Covid sequelae”.
“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 rich in use in the Covid treatment. It is not an immediate effect and may take 3 months to one year time to show steroids effect in the joints,” Dr Bohra told ANI
“Steroids make bones soft and cartilage starts collapsing and reduces blood supply too. It is steroid-induced necrosis of bone,” he added.
AVN, also known as osteonecrosis, is among the various fungal infections seen among the patients who recovered from Covid-19.
In AVN, a lack of blood supply leads to the death of bone tissue. A broken bone or a dislocated joint can interrupt the blood flow to a section of bone.
The infection can lead to tiny breaks in the bone, finally causing the bone to collapse.
The cases in Delhi come after three cases of AVN were earlier reportedly detected in Mumbai among the patients, who have recovered from Covid-19.