40% Rise In Young Hip Replacement Patients In Gujarat As Avascular Necrosis Cases Increase

Hip replacement surgery, once largely associated with older adults, is increasingly being performed on younger patients in Gujarat, with orthopaedic surgeons in Ahmedabad reporting a significant rise in cases linked to avascular necrosis (AVN).

Doctors say around 40 to 50% of patients currently seeking hip replacement surgery are below the age of 50, compared with the period before 2020, when most patients undergoing the procedure were above 60.

Avascular Necrosis Emerging As Major Cause

Avascular necrosis is a serious condition in which the blood supply to the femoral head, the ball-shaped upper end of the thigh bone that forms part of the hip joint, is reduced.

The loss of blood supply can cause bone cells to gradually die. If the condition progresses without timely treatment, the femoral head can weaken and eventually collapse, potentially making hip replacement necessary.

Joint replacement surgeons in Ahmedabad have observed a growing number of younger patients presenting with the condition.

Steroid Use And Alcohol Consumption Linked To Rise

Doctors say steroid use during COVID-19 treatment and recovery, as well as excessive alcohol consumption, are among factors associated with the increase in AVN cases among younger people.

A pattern observed by doctors is that some patients who now require hip replacement had previously contracted COVID-19 and received steroid treatment. While steroids were important in treating severe illness, doctors say their longer-term effects can contribute to complications in some patients.

Alcohol consumption has also been identified as another factor associated with AVN.

Doctors further point out that around half of young patients with AVN may eventually require replacement of both hips, making early detection particularly important.

Persistent Hip Pain Should Not Be Ignored

Doctors advise younger people experiencing persistent hip pain, difficulty walking or pain extending into the thigh to undergo an orthopaedic evaluation rather than dismissing the symptoms as a routine muscle or joint problem.

Early diagnosis can help determine whether surgery can be avoided or delayed.

Three Stages Of Hip Replacement Treatment

Medical experts broadly assess AVN according to the stage of damage to the hip joint.

Patients in Stage 1 or Stage 2 may often obtain relief through medication and physiotherapy, depending on the severity and clinical assessment.

Once the condition progresses beyond Stage 3, however, significant structural damage to the hip may make surgery the preferred treatment. Hip replacement can allow patients with advanced disease to regain mobility and return to daily activities with relief from the pain caused by the damaged joint.

Doctors stress that treatment depends on the individual patient's condition and the extent of bone damage, making timely orthopaedic assessment important when symptoms persist.