Surge in Hip Disorders Among Gym-Going Youth Sparks Health Alarm
New Delhi, May 12 — Leading orthopaedic specialists have sounded a public health alert over a troubling spike in hip disorders among young Indians, blaming the misuse of anabolic steroids and unregulated protein supplements for this emerging crisis. The issue was the focal point at the ‘Delhi Hip 360’ conference held in the capital, where experts reported a sharp increase in cases of Avascular Necrosis (AVN) and early hip degeneration — conditions historically associated with older adults.Dr L Tomar, organising chairman of the event and head of orthopaedics and joint replacement at Max Hospital, Delhi, revealed a disturbing trend. “Every week in my OPD, I see two to three patients under the age of 30, many in their early 20s, suffering from persistent hip pain,” he said. “Investigations often confirm AVN, which results from compromised blood supply to the hip bone and leads to bone death.”
According to Dr Tomar, over 70 percent of these young patients have a documented history of anabolic steroid abuse or excessive intake of unverified protein powders. He noted that alcohol and steroid use are primary triggers for AVN in young adults, a conclusion supported by recent studies.
Maharashtra FDA Crackdown Highlights Supplement Market Dangers
The issue of tainted supplements was recently underscored by the Maharashtra FDA, which conducted statewide raids and found several protein powder brands laced with performance-enhancing steroids. Many of these products are sold online or in gyms without proper labelling or regulatory approval, putting unsuspecting consumers at risk.“Youth chasing quick physical transformation are damaging their bone health without realizing it,” said Dr Tomar, explaining that the femoral head of the hip joint is especially vulnerable to reduced blood flow, making it a prime site for AVN.
Hip Replacements Among Youth Becoming Alarmingly Common
Dr Rajiv Jain, a senior orthopaedic surgeon, elaborated on the dangers of unsupervised steroid use. “Steroids can severely impact blood flow to bones. AVN starts with pain and stiffness, and often progresses to the collapse of the hip joint,” he said. In many advanced cases, total hip replacement becomes the only treatment — a complex surgery typically reserved for elderly patients.Alarmingly, orthopaedic researchers at the conference shared that more than 30 percent of AVN cases treated in Delhi’s top hospitals over the past three years involved patients under the age of 35. Most had a history of steroid injections, oral steroid use, or supplement abuse.
Call for Regulation and Awareness in the Fitness Industry
Dr Sharad Agarwal, scientific chairman of the conference, emphasised the urgent need for intervention in India’s booming fitness industry. “People are chasing muscle without realising that their bones could be deteriorating silently,” he said. He stressed the need for regulatory oversight of the supplement market, public awareness campaigns, and basic orthopaedic screenings at gyms.Doctors have collectively urged fitness trainers, influencers, and gym owners to prioritise client education. They advocate for discouraging the use of steroid cycles and promoting verified, safe alternatives to protein supplements.
As India’s youth increasingly turn to fitness culture, experts caution that health must not be compromised for rapid gains, warning that shortcuts today could lead to lifelong complications tomorrow.