It most often affects the hips and shoulders but can involve other joints as well. In its most advanced stage, avascular necrosis is irreversible and sometimes crippling. The likelihood of getting side-effects from cortisone depends upon how long it is taken and the size of the dose. In addition, some persons are simply more susceptible to side-effects from medications, including the cortisone drugs. The opinion about what constitutes a low dose of cortisone varies from physician to physician.
Prednisone is the most commonly prescribed steroid.
Most persons do not get side-effects from taking a low or moderate dose of cortisone for one or two weeks. People with diabetes, glaucoma, heart disease, low potassium or active infection are exceptions to this, however. Yet, moderate doses of steroids cause side-effects in almost every individual if taken for as long as eight weeks. There is debate among physicians about whether low doses of steroids cause side-effects. Osteoporosis probably does occur, even with low doses of steroids.