Femoral neck stress fracture: the importance of clinical suspicion and early review.

Stress fracture of the femoral neck is rare and often initially missed. A high index of clinical suspicion is required in athletes presenting with a history of insidious onset, exertional groin pain and pain at the extremes of hip motion on examination. Regular review is recommended to prevent progression of the stress fracture to a displaced fracture, as this significantly worsens long term outcome.