Symptoms of Femoral Head Necrosis

Femoral head necrosis is a disease caused by impaired blood supply leading to necrosis of bone tissue, mainly occurring in the femoral head. It is most common among people aged 30-50. Causes include corticosteroid use, alcoholism, trauma, or underlying metabolic diseases.

Globally, this disease has a higher diagnosis rate in developed industrial countries such as the United States, Japan, and South Korea; Southeast Asian countries such as China, Thailand, and Vietnam also face a higher risk, especially among patients with immune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Without timely detection and treatment, lifelong joint disability may result.

Detailed Symptoms of Femoral Head Necrosis

1. Deep Hip Pain

In the early stage, patients often experience vague dull pain deep in the hip joint, which worsens after activity and eases after rest. The pain may radiate to the inner thigh or buttocks, especially noticeable at night.

2. Pain Aggravated by Standing or Walking

As the disease progresses, patients feel significant hip pain during weight-bearing activities such as standing, climbing stairs, or prolonged walking, often leading to slower movement or limping.

3. Limited Hip Joint Mobility

With disease progression, actions like bending, sitting cross-legged, or putting on shoes and socks become difficult. Hip internal rotation, abduction, or flexion are restricted.

4. Limping and Abnormal Gait

Some patients in the middle or late stages develop a "waddling gait" or "alternating limp," seriously affecting daily life and social interactions, often requiring the use of a cane for balance.

5. Hip Tenderness or Clicking Sensation

On physical examination, tenderness may be detected in the hip area. Some patients report a "clicking" or "locking" sensation in the hip joint, suggesting structural damage.

6. Weakness in the Affected Limb

Untreated long-term cases may lead to muscle atrophy and decreased support due to joint structural imbalance, resulting in instability and limb weakness.

7. Pain Radiating to the Knee

Some patients experience knee discomfort, particularly when walking or squatting. This is often mistaken for primary knee disease, delaying the correct diagnosis of femoral head necrosis.

8. Night Pain Affecting Sleep

Due to hemodynamic changes and increased intraosseous pressure, some patients suffer severe night pain, making it difficult to sleep or causing frequent awakenings, significantly reducing quality of life.

9. Joint Stiffness After Activity

After waking in the morning or standing up after sitting for a long time, patients often feel hip joint stiffness, which gradually improves with movement.

10. Possibility of Bilateral Onset

In some populations, femoral head necrosis can affect both hips simultaneously, especially in corticosteroid users or patients with autoimmune diseases, with more obvious symptoms.

Conclusion

Experts from United Life International Medical Center emphasize that early diagnosis of femoral head necrosis is extremely critical. If persistent hip discomfort or walking difficulties occur, patients should seek medical evaluation immediately. Stem cell therapy and other novel treatments offer new hope, and early intervention can help delay or avoid joint replacement, restoring normal quality of life.