Avascular Necrosis (AVN), or the loss of bone tissues, has been recorded in at least three coronavirus survivors in Mumbai. Doctors believe in India, AVN might be the next terrible disease among post-coronavirus patients following mucormycosis or black fungus.
What is bone death or AVN?
The destruction of bone tissues owing to a lack of blood flow is AVN. It can cause small fractures in the bone, eventually causing the bone to collapse. Though it may affect anybody, it most often affects adults between the ages of 30 and 50. Physiotherapy, surgery, and medication are all options for treating the condition.
What are the symptoms of bone death?
Early on, there are typically no symptoms, but as the illness progresses, it can cause discomfort in joints across the body, including the hip, shoulder, knee, hand, and foot. If you experience persistent joint discomfort, you should consult a doctor.
Three patients of AVN were under 40
Two months after getting the treatment for the coronavirus, the three patients in Mumbai got the treatment at Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai, India. They were all under the age of 40.”These patients developed pain in their femur bone (the highest part of the thigh bone) and, since they were doctors, they recognized the symptoms and rushed for treatment,” Dr. Sanjay Agarwala said, according to The Times of India.
Use of steroids a likely cause of bone death
Several orthopedic experts have noticed a few instances among post-COVID-19 patients. According to doctors, the use of steroids during coronavirus therapy, as was the case with Black fungus, is a potential cause of AVN in such individuals.
“In patients who have suffered from long-COVID-19 and needed steroids, this is a worry,” said a Mumbai-based doctor.
More cases are likely in the following months, according to doctors
AVN instances might grow in the coming months, according to doctors. The illness “usually occurs five to six months after steroid use.”
“Our second COVID-19 wave’s peak was in April when steroids were liberally used to treat patients, so we may see it soon,” Dr. Rahul Pandit said. The three individuals in question did not require surgery since they sought therapy early.
The status of the coronavirus in India
Earlier this year, India had the world’s worst coronavirus spread. The number of cases per day in the country peaked at 4,14,000 in May. Since then, the situation has improved. Nearly 40,000 new infections have been recorded in the last 24 hours across the country.
The death toll in India has surpassed four lakh. Meanwhile, experts predict that India might get the third wave of COVID-19 by October.