BREAKING! COVID-19 Infection Triggers Bone Tissue Death Condition or Osteonecrosis Even Without Steroid Use!
Kittisak Meepoon Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Dec 04, 2025 41 minutes ago
Medical News: Surge in Bone Necrosis Cases Linked to COVID-19 Itself
A new study led by researchers from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis is raising red flags for COVID-19 survivors. Beyond the well-known risks of long COVID, scientists now believe the virus itself may directly cause osteonecrosis—a painful and irreversible condition where bone tissue dies due to lack of blood supply.
New research warns that COVID-19 can independently cause osteonecrosis, a serious condition where bone tissue dies,
even without steroid use
Previously, the rise in osteonecrosis during the pandemic was blamed on the widespread use of corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone, which are commonly used to reduce inflammation in severe COVID-19 cases. But this
Medical News report highlights that even individuals who received low doses or short courses of steroids developed this debilitating bone condition. Researchers now suspect that SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind COVID-19, might independently trigger osteonecrosis through several harmful mechanisms.
COVID-19 Fuels Inflammation and Immune Chaos
The study outlines how COVID-19 can cause a “cytokine storm,” a state of intense and uncontrolled inflammation. This abnormal immune response damages blood vessels, triggers clot formation, and disrupts lipid metabolism—all of which are known contributors to osteonecrosis.
Endothelial cells, which line blood vessels and are vital for oxygen delivery to bone tissue, are particularly affected. Once damaged, these cells cannot maintain healthy blood flow to the bone, setting the stage for tissue death. Additionally, the virus appears to impair bone cell balance by favoring osteoclasts (which break down bone) over osteoblasts (which build it), further tipping the scales toward bone degradation.
Even Mild Cases of COVID-19 Pose Long-Term Risks
Notably, the study found that even patients who had relatively mild COVID-19 symptoms and received minimal steroid treatment were still showing signs of osteonecrosis. Some required joint replacement surgery months after infection. A comparison of data from before and after the pandemic revealed a rise in osteonecrosis cases by as much as 0.2% overall and up to 0.9% in patients undergoing hip replacement surgery who had a history of COVID-19.
Cumulative Damage from Virus and Steroids
While steroids can impair lipid metabolism and blood flow, researchers believe the virus and medications act synergistically—each worsening the effects of the other. The combined result is a perfect storm of inflammation, blood clotting, and tissue oxygen deprivation that leads to bone death. With no current cure for osteonecrosis, the need for early detection and prevention strategies is urgent.
Conclusion
The research underscores that COVID-19 is not just a respiratory illness—it can also silently cause long-term musculoskeletal damage, incl
uding osteonecrosis. Doctors must now consider the virus itself as a direct cause of bone tissue death and take preventive measures, especially when prescribing steroids. More research is needed to better understand and manage this emerging post-COVID complication.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed Journal of Orthopaedic Research
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0972978X25004222
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Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/scientists-alarmingly-discover-that-covid-19-disrupts-osteoblast-differentiation
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/dental-researchers-warn-that-covid-19-can-also-cause-osteonecrosis-of-the-jaws
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-news-scientists-warns-of-the-impact-of-sars-cov-2-on-the-musculoskeletal-system-and-calls-for-more-research
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