Prevalence of Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head in High-Risk Male Patients with Severe COVID-19 Treated with High-Dose Corticosteroids: A Prospective Cohort Study Using Screening MRI-How Many Have Been Left Behind?

Diagnostics 2026 Open access

Read full text
Authors: Nicola Guindani, Mario Gaffuri, Pietro Andrea Bonaffini, Clarissa Valle, Alessandro Caruso, Greta Carioli, Francesca Fenili, Rosalia Zangari, Sandro Sironi, Federico Chiodini, Claudio Carlo Castelli
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics16101466
Cited by: 1
References: 64

Abstract

Objectives: The association between osteonecrosis (ON) and Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) was reported early during the pandemic. ON of the femoral head (ONFH) is particularly problematic, as it may destroy the joint and lead to arthroplasty, although early diagnosis and treatment might mitigate its progression. The aim of the present study was to quantify the prevalence of symptomatic and asymptomatic ONFH in patients with severe COVID-19 treated with high doses of corticosteroids during the first pandemic wave. Methods: For this prospective, observational, monocentric cohort study, patients were selected according to the risk factors described for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus in 2002–2004 (SARS-1): young males (

Fields of Study & Subjects

Bone and Joint Diseases Dermatological and COVID-19 studies Spondyloarthritis Studies and Treatments

Publication details

Journal / source
Diagnostics
Publisher
MDPI AG
Volume
16
Issue
10
Pages
1466–1466
Publication date
12 May 2026
Language
EN