Femoral neck stress fracture in a military trainee

The patient was a 21-year-old female who was currently enrolled in a military security forces training program. She had a 1-month history of worsening left anterior hip pain that was insidious in nature and limiting her ability to run. The patient was diagnosed as having a left hip strain, prescribed a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication,given a reduced activity waiver, and referred to a physical therapist. Despite previous radiographs of the pelvis and hips that were interpreted as normal, the history and physical examination findings led the physical therapist to be concerned about the presence of a possible femoral neck stress fracture. Immediate magnetic resonance imaging of the left hip was obtained, which revealed a stress fracture of the basicervical portion of the left femoral neck. The patient was referred to an orthopaedic surgeon for an expedited consultation and underwent open reduction internal fixation of the left hip later that day. After a period of convalescence and completion of a comprehensive rehabilitation program, the patient successfully returned to full military duty without limitations.