Stress Fractures of the Femoral Diaphysis

Femoral diaphyseal stress fractures are rare in the general population, but are frequently seen in the athletic and military communities. The diagnosis of this problem is frequently missed at first consultation and needs to be considered in all athletes and military recruits who present with vague groin, thigh, or knee pain. The female triad in athletes should be considered in those women who sustain this injury. Management is usually conservative, with a variety of rehabilitation programs suggested, but a pragmatic approach is to manage the patient symptomatically. Surgical intervention is routinely done by intramedullary fixation and is usually only required when the fracture displaces.