What are the early symptoms of hip femoral head necrosis

Early symptoms of osteonecrosis of the hip joint include hip pain, limited mobility, and abnormal gait. Early detection and timely treatment can delay the progression of the disease and avoid loss of joint function.

1. Hip pain

The early symptoms of femoral head necrosis of the hip joint are mainly hip pain, which may start from the groin area and gradually radiate to the inner thigh, buttocks or knees. The pain worsens during activity and may be relieved after rest, but persistent pain may also occur at night. This pain is usually related to bone tissue necrosis caused by insufficient blood supply to the femoral head.

2. Limited activity

As the disease progresses, patients may experience limited hip movement, especially abduction and internal rotation. They may feel stiffness or discomfort in their hips during daily activities such as putting on shoes, going up and down stairs, or walking for long periods of time. This is due to damage to the structure of the femoral head, which reduces the range of motion of the joint.

3. Abnormal gait

In the early stage, patients may experience limp or unstable gait, especially after walking or standing for a long time. This is because of pain and limited joint function, which causes patients to subconsciously reduce weight bearing on the affected side, thus affecting normal gait.

Treatments include medication, physical therapy, and surgery.

1. Drug treatment: Commonly used drugs include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and diclofenac sodium to relieve pain, and drugs that improve blood circulation such as alprostadil and danshen injection to promote blood supply to the femoral head.

2. Physical therapy: Improve local blood circulation and relieve pain through hot compress, ultrasonic therapy or low-frequency pulse electrical stimulation. Appropriate functional exercises such as hip abduction training and straight leg raising exercises can help maintain joint mobility.

3. Surgical treatment: For patients with severe conditions or who are not responsive to conservative treatment, core decompression, bone transplantation or artificial hip replacement can be selected.

It is crucial to detect hip necrosis at an early stage and intervene in time. If you experience hip pain, limited mobility, or abnormal gait, it is recommended to seek medical attention as soon as possible, obtain a clear diagnosis through X-rays, MRI, and other examinations, and choose the appropriate treatment plan based on the doctor's advice.