NON-CORTICOSTEROID-ASSOCIATED OSTEONECROSIS OF THE FEMORAL HEADS IN 2 PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL-DISEASE

Osteonecrosis, or nontraumatic (aseptic, avascular) bone necrosis, is a relatively common disorder estimated to account for more than 10 percent of all joint replacements1. Although a number of clinical entities have been associated with osteonecrosis (e.g., Gaucher's disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, hemoglobinopathies, air embolism, pancreatitis, and chronic alcoholism), the incidence and pathogenesis of osteonecrosis in each condition are not well defined. Some patients with osteonecrosis have also been treated with corticosteroids. It is not clear, however, if osteonecrosis in patients treated with corticosteroids represents a drug complication, a complication of the disease process, or both1–5… © 1993, Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved.