Q. MRI has revealed avascular necrosis of my left femoral head, which is continuing to deteriorate. The doctor stated that several things could have contributed to this situation, among them my long-term steroid use. I am 64 and otherwise in good health. Is this something other people should know about?
A. We are sorry to hear about this trouble with your hip. Researchers acknowledge that corticosteroid medications like prednisone can contribute to necrosis of the femoral head, a fancy way of saying death of bone tissue at the top of the femur.
Scientists are a bit uncertain about the exact mechanism for this reaction (Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, April 2009). No one knows why some people are more susceptible than others.
