The femoral neck is at risk for the development of stress fractures because it is subject to forces that are up to eight times of our body weight during impact loading activities.
The femoral neck is at risk for the development of stress fractures because it is subject to forces that are up to eight times of our body weight during impact loading activities. The repetitive stress in the femoral neck induces bony resorption faster than the body can produce metabolic repair. They make up 5% of all stress fractures.
Femoral neck stress fractures are most commonly seen in military recruits and distance runners. The other most common risk factors identified are female gender and pour baseline conditioning. Anatomic risk factors including coxa vara and femoracetabular impingement.
The two types of femoral neck stress fractures are categorized as compression or tension sided. The compression side of the femoral neck is localized to the inferior portion of the femoral neck. Tension sided injuries are localized to the superior portion of the femoral neck.
Compression and tension sided injury Patients will typically come in with exercise induced groin pain. Typically, there is no acute injury or trauma. These injuries typically occur during periods of an increase in volume of activity.
On physical exam of these patients, up to 70% will have pain with extremes of hip motion. Standard radiographs of the hip are done first to rule out any bony sclerosis, fracture line, or callous formation. Diagnosis is typically aided by MRI.
If you are experiencing symptoms that may be related to femoral neck stress fractures, it is important to see a sports medicine physician. Early evaluation and treatment typically lead to better outcomes. Do not ignore pain or symptoms that are limiting your activity.
*This article is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.*
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