• Lemire JJ
• O'Connor SM

• Femoral Neck Fractures
• Fractures, Stress
• Open Access Document
• Radionuclide Imaging
• Scintillation Counting

Femoral neck stress fracture represents a focal weakening of the bone often associated with a recent increase in activity level. Since plain film radiographs are initially normal, the clinical diagnosis is based solely on the history and physical examination. The consequence of a delayed diagnosis could result in a complete fracture or avascular necrosis of the femoral head. This paper includes a case report illustrating the important aspects of recognizing patients presenting with an underlying femoral neck stress fracture. The need for radionuclide bone scanning for the early diagnosis of this potentially disabling condition is stressed.

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