Femoral Stress Fracture in a Collegiate Male Basketball Player: A Case Report

Objective: We present a case of a femoral stress fracture in a male Division I basketball player. Background: During post-season conditioning, the athlete (21 years, 200 cm, 102.3 kg) presented to the team physician with anterior mid-thigh pain. He reported intense pain that had progressively increased a month before he sought medical advice. The athlete indicated that the pain had spread from his upper thigh to his knee and lower leg and reported no numbness or tingling. Upon evaluation, the team physician ordered diagnostic testing to rule out the presence of a femoral stress fracture. Differential Diagnosis: Results of the thigh radiograph were negative for hip dislocation, femoral neck fracture or arthritis, but a bone scan revealed a posterior medial femoral stress fracture. Treatment: Sports restrictions were specified for the first 3 weeks to discontinue jumping and running. At the initiation of pre-season conditioning, four months after his initial evaluation, the athlete was given full clearance to participate in team practices. Uniqueness: Documentation of femoral stress fractures in the general population is commonly observed secondary to predisposing pathologies or in the elderly population; however, it has only been documented among females and marathon runners in the athletic or military population. Conclusion: Athletic Trainers must be are aware of factors that place athletes at an increased risk of stress fractures and able to recognize the signs and symptoms in order to rule out a femoral stress fracture.