A case report of missed femoral neck stress fracture

Femoral neck stress fracture (FNSF) is an uncommon but potentially serious orthopaedic problem. This is a case report on missed femoral neck stress fracture in a 62-year-old female who was initially treated as early-onset coxarthrosis. She later presented to us with a displaced intra-capsular neck of left femur fracture and underwent total hip replacement. This case illustrates that causes other than osteoarthritis should be taken into consideration in patients presenting with anterior hip pain where symptoms are disproportionate to clinical and radiological findings. More advanced investigations such as MRI scan or regular follow up with plain radiographs should be performed. A delay in diagnosis can lead to secondary displacement of the femoral neck stress fracture.