[Stress fractures of the femoral neck]

Four young patients who developed a fatigue fracture of the femoral neck are presented. The clinical features of pain with movement are described. The role of nuclear medicine is discussed with emphasis on its importance in the early diagnosis of this entity. The radiologic stages based on the site and time of presentation are analyzed: 1) normal, 2) sclerotic bands perpendicular to the trabeculations, 3) incomplete fracture, 4) complete fracture.