Top orthopaedic surgeons have sounded warning bells about the increasing abuse of anabolic steroids and unregulated protein supplements among youth gym enthusiasts in India. The alarm was raised at the Delhi Hip 360 conference, where experts saw a steep spike in cases of avascular necrosis (AVN) and premature hip degeneration in individuals as young as their early 20s.

Key Highlights

Sharp rise in youth hip damage

• Orthopaedicians see 2–3 weekly cases of AVN in under-30 patients, often with a history of steroid or untested supplement use.

• AVN is a disorder where there is impaired blood supply to the femoral head, resulting in bone death and, in most cases, bilateral hip replacement.

Link to anabolic steroids and supplements

• More than 70% of AVN in young people had a history of uninhibited steroid use or excessive protein powder intake.

• Steroids disrupt blood supply to the femoral head, causing pain, stiffness, and collapse of the hip joint.

Unregulated fitness industry under the scanner

• Maharashtra FDA has initiated state-wide checks of protein powders after finding unauthorised banned substances in a number of brands.

• These supplements are commonly sold online and in gyms with inadequate documentation and regulatory checks.

Growing trend in city India

• Research shared at the conference revealed that over 30% of AVN patients treated in Delhi’s tertiary care hospitals in the past three years were under 35.

• Experts called for immediate regulatory action and public awareness to counter unsafe muscle-building practices.

Call for national awareness drive

• Dr. Sharad Agarwal, Dr. L Tomar, and Dr. Rajiv Jain highlighted orthopaedic screening in gyms, training educators for fitness instructors, and tighter control over selling supplements.

• "Fitness doesn't have to occur at the expense of mobility," said Dr. Agarwal. "Hidden behind those muscles, bones may be silently destroying themselves."

The epidemic of steroid-associated hip degeneration in young Indians reflects an urgent public health concern. As the fitness market is booming and supplement stores are poorly regulated, experts call for prompt action to avoid permanent musculoskeletal injury to the nation's youth.