Clinically occult avascular necrosis of the hip in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Abstract

Clinically occult AVN of the hip is common in patients with SLE. The short term natural history of these lesions appears stable without spontaneous healing or clinical or radiographic progression. Risk factors for these asymptomatic lesions are similar to the risks for symptomatic AVN and surgical intervention appears not to be indicated in these patients.