Excessive Alcohol Consumption Increases the Risk of Femoral Head Osteonecrosis Tenfold
Hip Joint Disease: The Dangers of Femoral Head Osteonecrosis
A warning has been issued that excessive alcohol consumption can cause problems in the hip joint. The hip joint is not only essential for activities such as walking and running but also plays a crucial role in distributing the upper body’s weight. Therefore, if issues arise in this area, it can significantly reduce quality of life due to pain and walking difficulties.
Recently, Gangdong Kyung Hee University Hospital reported on the risk of femoral head osteonecrosis. According to the hospital, femoral head osteonecrosis accounts for about 70% of hip joint diseases in Korea. While hip joint diseases are commonly thought to occur mainly in the elderly, femoral head osteonecrosis frequently affects men in their 40s and 50s who enjoy drinking alcohol.
The hip joint refers to the hip joint located in the groin area, where the torso and legs connect. It is a joint formed by the cup-shaped acetabulum of the pelvis and the uppermost part of the thigh bone, the femoral head.Although various diseases can affect the hip joint, femoral head osteonecrosis, formerly known as avascular necrosis of the femoral head, is the most common. Compared to other countries, this disease occurs at a notably higher rate in Korea.
Femoral head osteonecrosis is a condition in which blood flow to the femoral head, the uppermost part of the thigh bone that connects with the pelvis, is blocked, causing bone tissue to die. As the disease progresses, the necrotic area collapses and the bone fractures, and in the final stages, the hip joint function can be completely lost. Although the exact cause is not clearly identified, risk factors include excessive alcohol consumption, overuse of steroids, kidney disease, autoimmune diseases such as lupus, organ transplantation, gout, and trauma.
In particular, alcohol consumption is one of the main causes in Korea. Professor Jeon Young-su of the Department of Orthopedics at Gangdong Kyung Hee University Hospital explained, "In Koreans, alcohol consumption is known as a major cause," adding, "This is why it most frequently occurs in men in their 40s and 50s."
Treatment options include total hip arthroplasty when the area of necrosis is extensive and the patient experiences severe pain. Total hip arthroplasty is a surgery that removes the damaged hip joint entirely and replaces it with an artificial joint. Recently, the lifespan of artificial hip joints has been extended to over 20 to 30 years by using fourth-generation ceramics that are highly resistant to wear on the joint surface.
Professor Jeon advised, "Drinking 5 to 6 bottles of soju or more per week for over 10 years can increase the risk of necrosis by about tenfold, so excessive drinking should be avoided." He also recommended, "It is necessary to maintain bone density by regularly consuming sufficient calcium and vitamin D, getting frequent sunlight exposure, and maintaining muscle strength through regular exercise."
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