Steroid-induced femoral head pressure changes and their response to lipid-clearing agents

In rabbits, cortisone increases marrow fat cell size and intrafemoral head pressure, produces systemic fatty embolization, and probably is one of the causes of avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Clofibrate, a lipid-clearing agent, decreases the serum cholesterol level, reduces the marrow fat cell size changes, and decreases intrafemoral head pressure. This might be significant in improving femoral head venous outflow in long-term steroid-treated persons.