Patient's question:
Grandpa loves to drink beer very much. He has had a serious alcohol addiction for over a decade. In recent years, he has been retired and staying at home. He drinks alone. A few days ago, he suddenly fainted and was taken to the hospital for a thorough examination. The diagnosis was avascular necrosis of the femoral head. It is said that surgery is required, and I am very worried. Will chronic alcohol poisoning lead to avascular necrosis of the femoral head?Doctor's answer:
Chronic alcoholism can lead to avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Prolonged exposure of bone tissue to alcohol causes changes in bone structure and impairs the bone's ability to regenerate and repair. Another cause is that long-term alcohol consumption can disrupt lipid metabolism in the body, leading to dyslipidemia. Dyslipidemia is prone to cause atherosclerosis. If atherosclerosis occurs again in the arteries of the femoral head, it can easily trigger cerebral edema and suppuration of the femoral head. For the suppuration of the femoral head, surgical treatment is recommended.