Association between genetic polymorphisms of MMP8 and the risk of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head in the population of northern China.

AbstractBackground:Steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is the most common clinical nontraumatic ONFH. Once ONFH occurs, it seriously reduces patients’ quality of life. The matrix metalloproteinase/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (MMP/TIMP) system was found to play a signif