Doctors in Mumbai have faced an unprecedented number of patients during the course of the pandemic. Now, three new cases of avascular necrosis or AVN (also known as bone death) have been confirmed from the city. Some health experts say that more cases of AVN could surface over the coming months.
Speaking to TOI, the Medical Director of Mahim’s Hinduja Hospital, Dr Sanjay Agarwala said, “These patients developed pain in their femur bone (the highest part of the thigh bone) and, since they were doctors, they recognised the symptoms and rushed for treatment.”
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Hinduja Hospital has reportedly treated three patients under the age of 40 that developed necrosis around two months after being treated for COVID-19. Much like Black fungus or mucormycosis, AVN is reportedly caused by exorbitant use of steroids during the treatment of COVID-19.
Dr Agarwala’s research paper titled ‘Avascular necrosis as a part of long Covid-19’ was published in the medical journal ‘BMJ Case Studies’. Dr Agarwala reiterated that the widespread use of “life-saving corticosteroids” was leading to a surge in cases of avascular necrosis.
On the other hand, several patients across the country are recovering from mucormycosis or black fungus, with some losing vision in one eye following their recovery. Keeping this in mind, the Union Government has set aside 2,12,540 vials of Amphotericin-B - which is used in the treatment of black fungus - for states and union territories as well as central institutions.
Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers, Sadananda Gowda tweeted, “Additional 2,12,540 vials of #LiposomalAmphotericinB have been allocated to all the States/UTs & Central Institutions today. So far, approximately 10 lakh vials have been allocated across the country.”
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