Femoral Neck Stress Fractures in South Korean Male Military Recruits

• Published in: Clinics in orthopedic surgery Vol. 13; no. 1; pp. 24 - 29
• Main Authors: Yoon, Hyung Ku, Ryu, Yun Ki, Song, Dae Guen, Yoon, Byung-Ho
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) The Korean Orthopaedic Association 01.03.2021; 대한정형외과학회
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Femoral Neck Fractures - diagnostic imaging; Femoral Neck Fractures - therapy; Fractures, Stress - diagnostic imaging; Fractures, Stress - therapy; Humans; Male; Military Personnel; Original; Radiography; Republic of Korea; Retrospective Studies; Young Adult; 정형외과학; Republic of Korea; Femoral neck; Internal fixation; Stress fracture
• ISSN: 2005-291X; 2005-4408
• DOI: 10.4055/cios20074

Femoral neck stress fractures (FNSFs) are rare but potentially disabling injuries if the diagnosis is missed or delayed and proper treatment is not provided. The aim of this study was to investigate and describe the characteristics and clinical course of FNSFs in South Korean male military recruits. Between May 2015 and October 2019, 16 fractures in 12 young male military recruits were reviewed. The characteristics of the fractures were ascertained by detailed analysis of the history and clinical course, as well as radiographs, bone scintigrams, and magnetic resonance images. The median duration between endurance training and the development of hip pain was 5 weeks, while the median duration of pain before the patient sought medical attention was 3 weeks. Four patients (33.3%) exhibited bilateral fractures, and concomitant lesions involving the proximal tibia were found in 3 patients (25%). Fourteen of the 16 fractures (87.5%) were compression-type fractures, and surgery was performed for 7 hips. Complete union without malunion or osteonecrosis was achieved in all cases, and all cadets returned to their full activity levels in an average of 10 weeks. We observed excellent prognosis of FNSFs. Our report highlights the importance of early reporting, detection, and treatment regarding the challenging management of FNSFs. When a military recruit reports hip pain, a FNSF should be considered; furthermore, the bilaterality of the fracture and the presence of concomitant lesions should also be investigated.