At least three confirmed cases of Avascular Necrosis (AVN) or the death of bone tissues have been reported among coronavirus survivors in Mumbai. AVN could be the next debilitating condition among post-Covid patients after the outbreak of mucormycosis or black fungus two months back. Doctors fear that more cases of AVN are likely in the next few months.
According to a report from Hinduja Hospital in Mahim, treated the three young (under 40) patients who developed necrosis two months after they were treated for Covid. “These patients developed pain in their femur bone (the highest part of the thigh bone) and, since they were doctors, they recognised the symptoms and rushed for treatment,’’ said Dr Sanjay Agarwala, medical director of Hinduja Hospital, Mahim said. The common factor between AVN and mucormycosis is the use of steroids, the only drug proven to help Covid-19 patients. AVN is the death of bone tissues due to a lack of blood supply. It can lead to tiny breaks in the bone, causing the bone’s eventual collapse. Though anyone can get affected by it, the condition is most commonly seen in people aged between 30 and 50.
Treatments for the disease include physiotherapy, surgery, and medication. There are usually no symptoms in early stages, but as the condition worsens, it might lead to pain in joints of several body areas, including the hip, shoulder, knee, hand, and feet.
