Authors

10.22034/ijos.2020.121218

Abstract

Methods: In a case series study, cases of osteonecrosis in Akhtar hospital in Tehran with history of temgesic and norgesic abuse were identified in a 2 year period. The hospital charts of 11 cases with such characteristics were evaluated.Results: Eleven cases with mean age of 37.72±5.55 years comprised the study group. Five cases had used norgesic, 5 temgesic and 1 patient had used both of those agents. The average drug dosage was 4.36±2.29 vials per day for an average of 4.9±2.9 months. Onset of symptoms was 11.36±2.76 months after drug usage on average. Three cases had skin stria and 7 patients had localized obesity, both suggesting steroid effect. Bilateral involvement of bone ends was observed in all, while 3 cases had more than two joints affected.Conclusions: Norgesic and temgesic cause osteonecrosis with severe joint destruction. Raising the awareness of general public and physicians towards such a devastating complication is warranted.

Keywords