Femoral Neck Stress Fractures: An Updated Review

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine
• Radiology

Background:

• Femoral neck stress fractures are uncommon injuries, primarily seen in military recruits and endurance athletes.
• These fractures often present with insidious hip and groin pain, relieved by rest, and can be initially misdiagnosed due to normal radiographs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the diagnostic superiority of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for femoral neck stress fractures.
• To outline treatment algorithms based on fracture morphology and patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Review of diagnostic modalities for femoral neck stress fractures.
• Emphasis on MRI's accuracy in identifying and classifying these injuries.
• Discussion of treatment strategies based on MRI findings.

Main Results:

• MRI demonstrates superior specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy compared to other imaging techniques for femoral neck stress fractures.
• Treatment decisions are guided by MRI fracture patterns and the presence of intra-articular effusion.

Conclusions:

• Early and accurate diagnosis of femoral neck stress fractures, particularly using MRI, is essential.
• Timely intervention, including non-surgical or surgical management, prevents progression to complete fractures and associated complications such as nonunion and osteonecrosis.