Lateral femoral neck stress fractures: A case report

BACKGROUND Sport-induced injuries particularly affect young, healthy, and active individuals. Running, a popular and accessible sport, can cause a wide range of injuries, including stress fractures. Stress fractures can occur during high-intensity training or competitions, especially among well-trained amateurs and professional athletes. Adequate diagnosis can be complicated by the typically young age, unremarkable medical history, and vital condition of the patient. Stress fractures present insidiously, and this is specifically the case with stress fractures of the femoral neck. Timely intervention is crucial to prevent progressive displacement, as this can damage the blood supply to the femoral head. CASE SUMMARY A 30-year-old male runner presented to our outpatient clinic with persistent pain 3 weeks after running a marathon. X-ray showed a complete lateral fracture of the left femoral neck, which was treated surgically with a dynamic hip screw. CONCLUSION It is essential for healthcare providers to be vigilant for the subtle symptoms of stress fractures to ensure timely treatment. Early recognition prevents complication and leads to a better prognosis.