CLINICAL AND GENETIC CHARACTERISTICS OF AVASCULAR NECROSIS OF THE FEMORAL HEAD ASSOCIATED WITH COVID-19

Abstract

In recent years, it has been established that COVID-19 infection affects not only the respiratory system but also has negative impacts on many other body systems. Among the post-infection complications, pathologies related to the skeletal system have also been observed. One of these is avascular necrosis of the femoral head, which develops as a result of impaired blood supply to bone tissue. This process leads to the death of bone cells, destruction of bone structure, and dysfunction of the joint. Consequently, patients may experience severe pain, limited mobility, and disability.
The use of corticosteroid medications in the treatment of COVID-19, as well as the hypercoagulable state caused by the disease itself, may contribute to the development of avascular necrosis. In addition, recent studies highlight the significant role of genetic factors. In particular, polymorphisms in folate cycle-related genes such as MTHFR, MTR, and MTRR can lead to elevated homocysteine levels, resulting in thrombosis and microcirculatory disorders. This, in turn, exacerbates bone tissue ischemia and increases the risk of developing avascular necrosis.
Therefore, studying the clinical course, diagnostic approaches, and mechanisms of development of avascular necrosis of the femoral head associated with COVID-19, as well as determining the role of genetic factors, is one of the urgent issues in modern medicine.