J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2002 Dec;37(6):745-749.

Risk Period of Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head in Patients on Steroid Therapy

• Lee SJ
• Koo KH
• Yoon YP
• Chun CW
• Lee WS
• Kim YS
• Park YS

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the risk period of osteonecrosis of the femoral head following steroid therapy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Medical records data were reviewed and studied the duration and dosage of steroid therapy for 22 patients who were diagnosed as in the early stage osteonecrosis by MRI but were without positive findings on plain radiographs.
RESULTS
The period from the onset of steroid therapy to the time of diagnosis by MRI ranged from one to 16 months (mean, 5.3 months). Twenty-one of the 22 patients were diagnosed within 12 months. The total dosage of steroid ranged from 1,800 to 15,505 mg of prednisolone or its equivalent (mean, 5,928 mg).
CONCLUSION
The current study revealed that the risk period for developing femoral head osteonecrosis in patients receiving long-term steroid therapy is 12 months. Periodical follow-up and intensive screening are recommended within the first year of long-term steroid therapy to detect osteonecrosis of the femoral head at an early stage.

Keyword

Femoral head; Osteonecrosis; Steroid

MeSH Terms

Diagnosis
Follow-Up Studies
Head*
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Mass Screening
Medical Records
Osteonecrosis*
Prednisolone
Prednisolone