Semaglutide-Associated Sequential Unilateral Transient Osteoporosis of The Hip

Transient osteoporosis of the hip (TOH) is a rare, self-limiting bone marrow edema syndrome characterized by acute hip pain. Although metabolic, mechanical, and vascular factors have been proposed, the underlying cause remains unclear.1 We report a case of sequential unilateral TOH episodes, temporally related to semaglutide exposure and re-exposure, in a healthy middle-aged man with symptom resolution following drug discontinuation and conservative treatment. Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist increasingly used off-label for weight loss, has not previously been linked to musculoskeletal complications. Although causality cannot be definitively established, the consistent temporal relationship between semaglutide exposure and symptom onset suggests a possible association. Given the growing use of semaglutide, clinicians should consider TOH in the differential diagnosis of acute atraumatic hip pain, and further studies are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of this association.

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Publication Details

Journal
American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Published
2026-04-06
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1097/phm.0000000000003003
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Bone and Joint Diseases
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
26.36
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article

Semaglutide-Associated Sequential Unilateral Transient Osteoporosis of The Hip

Esra Giray, Özge Gülsüm İlleez, Kemal Sari
1 citations
American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Bone and Joint Diseases
26.36
article

Semaglutide-Associated Sequential Unilateral Transient Osteoporosis of The Hip

Esra Giray, Özge Gülsüm İlleez, Kemal Sari
article en
1 citations

Abstract

Transient osteoporosis of the hip (TOH) is a rare, self-limiting bone marrow edema syndrome characterized by acute hip pain. Although metabolic, mechanical, and vascular factors have been proposed, the underlying cause remains unclear.1 We report a case of sequential unilateral TOH episodes, temporally related to semaglutide exposure and re-exposure, in a healthy middle-aged man with symptom resolution following drug discontinuation and conservative treatment. Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist increasingly used off-label for weight loss, has not previously been linked to musculoskeletal complications. Although causality cannot be definitively established, the consistent temporal relationship between semaglutide exposure and symptom onset suggests a possible association. Given the growing use of semaglutide, clinicians should consider TOH in the differential diagnosis of acute atraumatic hip pain, and further studies are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of this association.

American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi (TR), Fatih Sultan Mehmet Eğitim Ve Araştırma Hastanesi (TR)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 1%
Bone and Joint Diseases
26.36
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