From UC remission to hip replacement at 38 — a PREDNISONE reality check (AVN diagnosis)
Hey everyone. Long-time lurker here. This sub has been a huge resource for me over the years, so I wanted to finally share something of my own in case it helps someone else connect dots earlier than I did.
I was diagnosed with mild UC in 2021 and stayed in a pretty solid remission for a few years on mesalamine alone. Then 2024 hit, and I had the worst flare of my life. First hospitalization, first exposure to steroids, and the start of a long stretch of being on and off prednisone (about 4 times over ~1.5 years).
I failed Humira, switched to Rinvoq, and eventually landed with a new GI team (worth the 6-month wait... they’re incredible). Right now I’m on Rinvoq + Tremfya, tapering my Rinvoq dose. My calprotectin dropped from 3800+ to ~150, and for the first time in a long time… I felt like myself again.
Since late 2025 into early 2026, I was back in the gym, running, lifting, put on 15 lbs of muscle, working out 3–4x/week. Life felt normal again.
Then late February… my hip started bothering me.
At first it felt like a tight muscle. Then it turned into:
- Trouble lifting my leg into the car
- Pain spreading from hip > groin > knee > down the leg
- Limping
- Struggling to sit/stand, put on socks, basic movement
Within a couple weeks, I went from “this is annoying” to barely being able to walk. One morning, I woke up and couldn’t stand at all.
X-ray showed nothing. MRI (after a brutal 3-week wait and a miserable work trip on a cane) gave the answer: Avascular necrosis (AVN) — my left hip is ~80% collapsed. Right hip showing early signs too.
The likely cause? Steroid use. That hit hard.
The same medication that pulled me out of a life-threatening flare. That made me feel superhuman. Quietly damaged my joints in the background. I’m now scheduled for a total hip replacement (left side) in mid-May, with the right side likely to follow eventually.
I’m 38 m. Active. Finally got my UC under control. And suddenly I’m here.
That said — I’m not posting this to be doom-and-gloom.
I’ve learned:
- AVN isn’t rare with steroid exposure, just not talked about much
- Hip replacement today is very common and highly successful
- Mine will be an anterior approach with robotic assistance
- I’ll likely be home the same day
- Recovery timelines are actually pretty encouraging
Right now, the hardest part is the waiting, and not being able to move, work out, or just exist without pain/crutches. But mentally, I’m in a much better place than when I first heard the news.
Why I’m sharing:
- If you’ve had repeated steroid use and something feels “off” in your joints: push for imaging
- Pain that travels or worsens quickly isn’t always just inflammation or tightness
- The meds that help us can have trade-offs. Being informed matters
This sub has reminded me countless times that I’m not alone, even when I never posted. So if you’ve dealt with AVN, you’ve had a hip replacement (especially younger), you’re navigating steroid side effects... I’d really appreciate hearing your experience.
And if you’ve got questions about anything I’ve gone through, I would love to chat.
Much love to this community. You’ve helped more than you probably realize.