A Case of Bilateral Steroid Arthropathy of the Hip Following Repeated Intra-articular Steroid Injections

Steroid arthropathy is a relatively rare but serious complication of intra-articular corticosteroid injections, characterized by rapid joint destruction. Although intra-articular steroid injections are widely used for short-term pain relief in osteoarthritis, their potential risks remain underrecognized. We report a rare case of bilateral steroid arthropathy of the hip following repeated intra-articular steroid injections.

A 60-year-old woman with bilateral hip osteoarthritis received multiple steroid injections into both hip joints over a 4-month period. Although temporary pain relief was achieved after initial injections, her symptoms progressively worsened. Imaging studies revealed the collapse of both femoral heads. Bilateral total hip arthroplasty was performed with good postoperative outcomes.

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of simultaneous bilateral steroid arthropathy of the hip. This case highlights the potential risk of repeated intra-articular steroid injections in weight-bearing joints and emphasizes the need for cautious indication and adequate patient counseling.