This Article Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Talbot, J.C. Articles by Parker, P.J. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Talbot, J.C. Articles by Parker, P.J.

FEMORAL NECK STRESS FRACTURES IN MILITARY PERSONNEL – A 20 CASE SERIES

Femoral neck stress fractures (FNSF) are uncommon, representing around 5% of all stress fractures. In military personnel, FNSF represents one of the severest complications of military training, which can result in medical discharge. Clinical examination findings are frequently non-specific and plain radiography may be inconclusive leading to missed or late diagnosis of FNSF. This paper highlights the significance of FNSF’s in military personnel and alerts physicians to the potential diagnosis. We identified all military recruits, aged 17 to 26, who attended the Infantry Training Centre (Catterick, UK), over a four-year period from the 1^st July 2002 to 30^th June 2006, who suffered a FNSF. The medical records, plain radiographs, bone scans and MRI’s of the recruits were retrospectively reviewed. Of 250 stress fractures, 20 were of the femoral neck; representing 8% of all stress fractures and an overall FNSF rate of 12 in 10,000 military recruits. FNSF’s were most prevalent amongst Parachute Regiment recruits (1 in 250, p< 0.05). Onset of symptoms was most commonly between 13–16 weeks from the start of training. The majority (17/20, 85%) of FNSF’s were undisplaced, these were all treated conservatively. Three FNSF’s were displaced on presentation and were treated surgically. Overall, the medical discharge rate was 40% (8/20). FNSF’s are uncommon and the diagnosis remains a challenge to clinicians and requires a high index of suspicion in young athletic individuals. In such individuals early referral for MRI is recommended, to aid prompt diagnosis and treatment, to prevent serious sequelae.

Correspondence should be addressed to Major M Butler RAMC, Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Centre, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Exeter, Devon.

Correspondence should be addressed to Major M Butler, CSOS, Institute of Naval Medicine, Crescent Road, Alverstoke, Hants PO12 2D