Ankur Warikoo shares how he overcame a serious medical condition to go 'fat-free' at 44; his doctor had told him to "Stop walking"
Entrepreneur and content creator Ankur Warikoo recently took to his IG handle to share his personal health success story. Ankur, who is known for his engaging content on wealth, success and failure, money and investing, self-awareness and personal relationships revealed that in 2012, he was diagnosed with a serious medical condition, called Avascular Necrosis and the doctor had told him to "stop walking" altogether.
Ankur revealed that not only did he run a marathon after that, he also managed to cut out all his body fat, and is now "fat free" at 44! Sharing two before and after images, Ankur wrote,
'Stop walking!'
The doctor wrote it on the prescription. Underlined.
Twice.
Feb 2012.
I was diagnosed with Avascular Necrosis.
My hip bone was decaying.
I lay in the 10% with no cause.
I went through surgery.
3 months of bed rest.
5 months on crutches.
I recovered, but…
Life told me to stop walking.
How could I tell life this chapter is over and I've won?
In a moment of craziness, I decided I'll run a marathon!
After 10 months of preparation, I did it.
I thought I would feel great about it.
But I felt the opposite.
I felt I had cheated.
Because up until that day, the maximum I had ever run was 14 kms.
I could have showed up any day and finished the 21 kms without preparation.
What could I do for which I had to show up every day?
In another moment of craziness, I found myself saying 6-pack abs!
At 33, with 26% body fat, I had to change everything to reach < 10% body fat.
And I did — diet, sleep schedule, fitness routine.
10 years later (2024), I decided to go through the journey again and get the 6-pack abs.
Today, I'm 44 and fat-free.
I know this routine and mindset will stay with me for life.
Grateful for this 'second' life 👊
What is Avascular Necrosis?
Avascular necrosis (AVN), also known as osteonecrosis (not to be confused with osteoporosis) or bone infarction, is a serious medical condition where bone tissue dies because it does not get enough blood supply.
Without blood, the bone cells lose oxygen and nutrients, causing the bone to weaken and eventually collapse. This condition most often affects the ends of long bones, especially the hip (femur), but it can also affect the shoulder, knee, ankle, and other joints.
How does it affect people
At first, avascular necrosis may not cause any symptoms. Many people do not feel pain in the early stages because the bone damage is still at a nascent stage. However, as the condition progresses and the bone starts to collapse, symptoms become more obvious and painful.
What are the symptoms
Joint Pain: The most common sign is pain in the affected joint. For example, if the hip is affected, pain may be felt in the groin, thigh, or buttock. Initially, the pain may occur only when putting weight on the joint, such as walking or standing. Over time, the pain can become constant and severe, even when resting or lying down.
Limited Movement: As the bone and joint surface collapse, stiffness and reduced range of motion develop.
This can make it difficult to move the joint freely.
Limping or Difficulty Bearing Weight: When the hip or knee is affected, people may limp or find it hard to put weight on the leg.
What Causes Avascular Necrosis
Avascular necrosis happens when blood flow to a bone is interrupted or reduced. Blood vessels carry oxygen and nutrients essential for bone health. When these vessels are damaged or blocked, bone tissue starts to die.
Common Causes Include:
Injury or Trauma: A fracture or dislocation near a joint can damage blood vessels, cutting off blood supply to the bone.
For example, a broken hip or a dislocated shoulder can lead to AVN.
Excessive Alcohol Use: Drinking too much alcohol can cause fatty deposits in blood vessels, which block blood flow to bones.
Use of Certain Medications: High doses of steroids (corticosteroids) are linked to AVN. These drugs can affect blood flow and bone health.
Medical Conditions: Diseases like sickle cell anemia, Gaucher's disease, or blood clotting disorders can reduce blood flow to bones.
Unknown Causes: Sometimes AVN develops without a clear reason, possibly due to a combination of genetic factors and lifestyle.
Which bones are most affected
The most common site for avascular necrosis is the femoral head, the ball-shaped top of the thigh bone that fits into the hip socket. Because the hip bears much of the body's weight, AVN here can cause significant pain and disability.
Other bones that can be affected include:
The humerus (upper arm bone) near the shoulder.
The knee joint.
The ankle bones.
The jaw bone (rarely).
In some cases, AVN affects both sides of the body, such as both hips or both knees.
Who is at risk
Avascular necrosis most commonly affects adults between 30 and 50 years old. Men are more frequently affected than women. People with a history of bone injury, heavy alcohol use, or long-term steroid use are at higher risk.
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Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
Ankur Warikoo details journey from hip decay to marathon running and six-pack abs: Can bones regenerate?
Entrepreneur and content creator Ankur Warikoo has taken to Instagram to document a transformative journey of not only recovering from a hip condition and 'no-walk' days but running a marathon, eventually losing body fat and developing chiselled abs at 44. In February 2012, Ankur was diagnosed with avascular necrosis, a condition where his hip bone was slowly decaying because of a lack of blood supply. He found himself in the unfortunate 10% of cases with no clear cause and was asked to stop walking. This was followed by a surgery, a trying and long recovery period with crutches, a determined 10-month effort of getting back on his feet and running a marathon. He found a new problem at 33, that he was overweight with 26% body fat. And now, after years of following a customised diet, sleep and fitness routine, his body is ripped and his fat percentage is below 10%. But does this routine work for everybody? 'The truth is, hip bone decay manifests differently in different people. So does the recovery and rehabilitation. Which is why a solution has to be medically guided and completely dependent on the bone recovery,' says Dr Raju Vaishya, Orthopaedic and Robotic Surgeon, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi. What is avascular necrosis (AVN)? This is a condition when blood supply to the head of the femur (thigh bone) is disrupted, leading to bone tissue death and hip bone decay. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including trauma, prolonged steroid use, excessive alcohol consumption, certain medical conditions (like sickle cell disease) and even some medications. Over time, this can lead to joint collapse, especially in weight-bearing joints like the hip. It often begins with pain during movement and progresses to pain even at rest. In severe cases, doctors may advise complete rest or avoiding walking altogether to prevent further damage. What about treatment? Treatment options can include medication, joint-preserving surgeries or even joint replacement depending on the stage of the disease. We also do core decompression, which involves drilling small holes in the affected bone, relieving pressure and helping restore blood flow to the area. A bone graft is inserted to speed up healing. Can running a marathon help or harm in such a condition? Running a marathon after being diagnosed with AVN is not typically recommended unless the person has undergone successful treatment and rehabilitation. Get an endurance approval from your doctor. Always consult an orthopaedic specialist before considering high-impact exercise. Each case is different, and pushing too early can worsen the condition. Focus on the treatment no matter how long it takes Whether it's medication, physical therapy or surgery (such as hip replacement), the priority is to stabilise the joint and restore function. Start with low-impact exercise Activities like swimming, cycling, or elliptical training are preferred in early recovery. These strengthen muscles without stressing the joint. Then strengthen supporting muscles. Building muscle around the joint improves stability and reduces stress on the affected area. This is important if running is a long-term goal. If cleared by a doctor, transition slowly to walking, then light jogging. Studies show marathon running strengthens muscles and reduces the load on joints. Continued scans and check-ups are necessary to ensure that bone health is stable and there's no further degeneration.
Economic Times
a day ago
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Ankur Warikoo shares his fat-free fitness comeback story with six-pack abs at 44: ‘Grateful for this second life'
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2 days ago
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Ankur Warikoo shares how he overcame a serious medical condition to go 'fat-free' at 44; his doctor had told him to "Stop walking"
Entrepreneur and content creator Ankur Warikoo recently took to his IG handle to share his personal health success story. Ankur, who is known for his engaging content on wealth, success and failure, money and investing, self-awareness and personal relationships revealed that in 2012, he was diagnosed with a serious medical condition, called Avascular Necrosis and the doctor had told him to "stop walking" altogether. Ankur revealed that not only did he run a marathon after that, he also managed to cut out all his body fat, and is now "fat free" at 44! Sharing two before and after images, Ankur wrote, 'Stop walking!' The doctor wrote it on the prescription. Underlined. Twice. Feb 2012. I was diagnosed with Avascular Necrosis. My hip bone was decaying. I lay in the 10% with no cause. I went through surgery. 3 months of bed rest. 5 months on crutches. I recovered, but… Life told me to stop walking. How could I tell life this chapter is over and I've won? In a moment of craziness, I decided I'll run a marathon! After 10 months of preparation, I did it. I thought I would feel great about it. But I felt the opposite. I felt I had cheated. Because up until that day, the maximum I had ever run was 14 kms. I could have showed up any day and finished the 21 kms without preparation. What could I do for which I had to show up every day? In another moment of craziness, I found myself saying 6-pack abs! At 33, with 26% body fat, I had to change everything to reach < 10% body fat. And I did — diet, sleep schedule, fitness routine. 10 years later (2024), I decided to go through the journey again and get the 6-pack abs. Today, I'm 44 and fat-free. I know this routine and mindset will stay with me for life. Grateful for this 'second' life 👊 What is Avascular Necrosis? Avascular necrosis (AVN), also known as osteonecrosis (not to be confused with osteoporosis) or bone infarction, is a serious medical condition where bone tissue dies because it does not get enough blood supply. Without blood, the bone cells lose oxygen and nutrients, causing the bone to weaken and eventually collapse. This condition most often affects the ends of long bones, especially the hip (femur), but it can also affect the shoulder, knee, ankle, and other joints. How does it affect people At first, avascular necrosis may not cause any symptoms. Many people do not feel pain in the early stages because the bone damage is still at a nascent stage. However, as the condition progresses and the bone starts to collapse, symptoms become more obvious and painful. What are the symptoms Joint Pain: The most common sign is pain in the affected joint. For example, if the hip is affected, pain may be felt in the groin, thigh, or buttock. Initially, the pain may occur only when putting weight on the joint, such as walking or standing. Over time, the pain can become constant and severe, even when resting or lying down. Limited Movement: As the bone and joint surface collapse, stiffness and reduced range of motion develop. This can make it difficult to move the joint freely. Limping or Difficulty Bearing Weight: When the hip or knee is affected, people may limp or find it hard to put weight on the leg. What Causes Avascular Necrosis Avascular necrosis happens when blood flow to a bone is interrupted or reduced. Blood vessels carry oxygen and nutrients essential for bone health. When these vessels are damaged or blocked, bone tissue starts to die. Common Causes Include: Injury or Trauma: A fracture or dislocation near a joint can damage blood vessels, cutting off blood supply to the bone. For example, a broken hip or a dislocated shoulder can lead to AVN. Excessive Alcohol Use: Drinking too much alcohol can cause fatty deposits in blood vessels, which block blood flow to bones. Use of Certain Medications: High doses of steroids (corticosteroids) are linked to AVN. These drugs can affect blood flow and bone health. Medical Conditions: Diseases like sickle cell anemia, Gaucher's disease, or blood clotting disorders can reduce blood flow to bones. Unknown Causes: Sometimes AVN develops without a clear reason, possibly due to a combination of genetic factors and lifestyle. Which bones are most affected The most common site for avascular necrosis is the femoral head, the ball-shaped top of the thigh bone that fits into the hip socket. Because the hip bears much of the body's weight, AVN here can cause significant pain and disability. Other bones that can be affected include: The humerus (upper arm bone) near the shoulder. The knee joint. The ankle bones. The jaw bone (rarely). In some cases, AVN affects both sides of the body, such as both hips or both knees. Who is at risk Avascular necrosis most commonly affects adults between 30 and 50 years old. Men are more frequently affected than women. People with a history of bone injury, heavy alcohol use, or long-term steroid use are at higher risk. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
