"Post-COVID AVN caught at Stage 1. Joint preservation protocol in progress."
— Devinder Pal Singh, 49 · Sector 14, Gurgaon
Why early detection matters for AVN
AVN (Avascular Necrosis) of the femoral head has 4 stages. Stages I–II can often be preserved with non-surgical care; Stages III–IV typically need replacement. Many post-COVID and post-steroid AVN cases get diagnosed in late stages because patients delay imaging. Devinder caught his at Stage 1 — and that changes everything.
Before Orthosist
"I had a moderate COVID infection in 2022 and was put on high-dose steroids for two weeks. Early 2025 I started feeling a vague ache in my left groin — easy to dismiss. By April it was waking me up at night. A surgeon at Sector 14 saw the MRI and said 'early AVN, but eventually you'll need replacement — start budgeting'. Quote eventually: ₹4 lakh."
"I'm a banker — I do not commit to anything ₹4 lakh-sized without independent analysis. I'd seen Orthosist's WhatsApp ads. I sent everything that night."
The Orthosist Council Verdict
Diagnosis: Left femoral head AVN, Ficat Stage 1 (early). Femoral head shape preserved. No subchondral collapse. Likely post-steroid etiology.
Surgery required? No — joint preservation is feasible. The ideal window to act.
Path: Strict no-weight-bearing 6 weeks. Bisphosphonate trial. PRP injection at Week 8. Structured hip mobility physio after Week 10. Repeat MRI at month 4.
Progress (currently Week 9)
Strict no-weight-bearing. Crutches at all times. Started bisphosphonate. Hardest part: not driving.
PRP injection done at Week 8. Started partial weight-bearing. Pain at rest: gone. Pain on walking: 50% reduced. Banking from home, no commute yet.
Repeat MRI scheduled. Council will assess if Stage 1 has remained stable (best case) or progressed.
"The first surgeon told me to budget for an eventual hip replacement. The council showed me there's still a path to keep my real hip. That conversation alone was worth everything."