Background: Steroid-induced osteonecrosis is unpredictable and highly morbid.
Methods: MEDLINE (Ovid) and PubMed search for relevant literature.
Results: Oral steroid doses typically considered to be associated with the condition are >20 mg of prednisone (or equivalent) per day or >2 g within a period of 2 to 3 months. Symptoms may be vague.
Conclusions: Dermatologists must exercise a high degree of clinical suspicion and warn patients about steroid-related risks and conditions for follow-up.
Keywords: aseptic necrosis; avascular necrosis; bone death; corticosteroids; dermatology; glucocorticosteroids; ischemic necrosis; osteochondritis dissecans; osteonecrosis; steroids.
© The Author(s) 2015.