My mother has a condition called sarcoidosis. It mostly affects her lungs so she has to take prednisone for it. Last week she broke her hip because of the prednisone. Now she has a new hip replacement. What's to keep it from breaking too?
Sarcoidosis is an immune system disorder that can affect any organ. The lungs are involved most often with inflammation as the main problem. Prednisone is an antiinflammatory steroid used to control the side effects of the inflammation.
The problem is that although prednisone works well for inflammation, it has its own side effects. Bone weakening and bone death called osteonecrosis is one of those side effects. Bone fracture, especially of the hip, is not uncommon after years of steroid use.
There is a risk of further bone damage from the use of these medications. Usually the physician can prescribe other drugs to counter the negative effects prednisone has on the bone.
New drug products called bisphosponates are available to help build up bone density loss caused by aging, osteoporosis, or osteonecrosis. If your mother is not taking a medication of this type, encourage her to ask her doctor about it.
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