23-05-2025
Are steroids, protein powders building muscle but damaging your hip bone? What young gym goers need to know
Can arbitrary use of gym steroids and protein powders damage the hip bone permanently? Orthopaedic experts are seeing hip bone damage and degeneration of the kind associated with the elderly among young people in their 20s, who may be picking up performance enhancers from gyms.
Recently, the Maharashtra FDA also launched statewide checks on protein powders after several brands were found to be spiked with performance-enhancing steroids, many of which are freely available online or at gyms without proper labelling or approvals.
According to Dr Gaurav Prakash Bhardwaj, Director, Sports Injury, Joint Preservation and Replacement Surgery, PSRI hospital, 'Steroid use is one of the most well-documented causes of Avascular Necrosis (AVN), a condition where bone tissue dies because of lack of blood supply. When taken in high doses or over a long period, especially without medical need, steroids can interfere with the blood supply to the bone.'
There has been a noticeable rise in hip-related complaints among young individuals, especially those in their 20s and early 30s. They report persistent pain in the hip joint, difficulty walking, or stiffness, all linked to unsupervised gym workouts and supplement use. Abuse of steroids can also impact liver and cardiovascular health.
Earlier, AVN was considered relatively rare in this group, but in recent years, we are seeing around 3 to 5 cases per month in some urban hospitals alone. This number may vary depending on the location, but overall, there is a clear upward trend. Many patients are unaware that their symptoms could point to a serious condition until the damage becomes severe. Medication can slow down degeneration, surgery is the last resort.
Steroid use is one of the most well-documented causes of AVN. When taken in high doses or over a long period, especially without medical need, steroids can build up fat levels in the blood and bone marrow, obstructing blood vessels and interfering with blood supply to the bone. This eventually leads to bone tissue death and collapse of the hip joint. Similarly, excessive alcohol intake damages blood vessels and can also reduce blood flow to the hip, triggering AVN.
The most affected age group is between 20 and 35 years. These are mostly fitness-conscious individuals who engage in intense workouts and are influenced by social media trends or body-building goals. Unfortunately, they are using steroids or unregulated protein supplements without medical supervision. We should regulate the supplement market, build gym hygiene with fitness trainers and insist on basic bone screening of gym goers.
