Table 3 Main findings of the included studies (AVN: avascular necrosis; CCS: corticosteroids; MRI: magnetic resonance imaging)

Agarwala et al., [47]

49

To report early development of AVN in post-COVID patients

COVID-19-related treatment may induce AVN in approximately two months following the infection

Agarwala et al., [48]

73

To investigate the possible knee AVN as part of long COVID-19 syndrome

After COVID-19, patients are more susceptible to osteonecrosis. Bisphosphonates are effective in early stages of osteonecrosis of knee

Alkindi et al., [49]

166

To report the case of bilateral AVN of femoral heads and proximal tibias after 8 weeks after suffering from severe COVID-19

It is possible that AVN and reactive arthritis are directly linked to the COVID-19 and some superimposed exacerbated it

Chacko et al., [50]

56

To report a case of bilateral femoral head AVN in a post-COVID-19 male patient

There is an increased risk of osteonecrosis of femoral head in COVID-19 case due to hypercoagulability state associated with COVID-19

Daltro et al., [51]

133

To report a case of patient infected with COVID-19 who developed femoral head AVN

CCS and association of hypercoagulability mechanisms related to COVID-19 and AVN

Ghosh et al., [52]

30

To report a case of a man with COVID-19-associated vertebral, femoral and pelvic AVN

The findings are highly suggestive of COVID-19-associated AVN

Kachewar et al., [53]

To study the MRI images of COVID-19 infected patients for spectrum of femoral head AVN

6% incidence of AVN was seen in patients who developed hip pain after being treated for COVID-19

Panin et al., [54]

114

To report a series of patients treated COVID-19 with bilateral femoral heads AVN

Factors associated with COVID-19 and related treatment can influence the development of AVN

Sulewski et al., [55]

14

To report ten patients with AVN following COVID-19

COVID-19 can have a negative impact on bones at 1 to 3 weeks