Rapid Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evaluation of Femoral Neck Stress Fractures in a U.S. Active Duty Military Population.

OBJECTIVES

Timely diagnosis of femoral neck stress fractures is important to prevent fracture completion and displacement. We hypothesize that an abbreviated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) hip examination can diagnose femoral neck stress fractures and that femoral neck stress fractures are common in U.S. military recruits.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed abbreviated hip MRI examinations performed on active duty patients from November 1, 2013, to August 5, 2014. Patients were referred by primary care providers on the basis of high clinical suspicion. Study variables included presence and grade of femoral neck stress fractures.

RESULTS

229 patients were evaluated with an abbreviated hip MRI. 43 patients (18.8%) were diagnosed with femoral neck stress fractures and 12 patients (5.2%) had bilateral femoral neck stress fractures. All femoral neck stress fractures were on the compressive side. Grading of stress fractures was as follows: 0 Grade I (0%), 8 Grade II (14.5%), 32 Grade III (58.2%), and 15 Grade IV (27.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

An abbreviated MR hip examination can diagnose femoral neck stress fractures as well as additional pathologies that explain the patient's symptoms. Femoral neck stress fractures are common in U.S. military personnel.