Atraumatic bilateral femoral neck fractures during pregnancy: a missed diagnosis

Atraumatic Displaced Femoral Neck Fracture Postpartum: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Hip pathology during pregnancy may include transient osteoporosis of the hip or osteonecrosis associated with pregnancy. Rarely, hip pathology during pregnancy may result in a fragility fracture or advanced collapse of the femoral head, necessitating surgical treatment. We present a case of a 32-year-old woman who postpartum was found to have a displaced right femoral neck fracture and an area of focal edema in the left femoral head with mild flattening of the articular surface. She was successfully treated with a total hip arthroplasty on the right, and a follow-up MRI of the left hip showed near-complete resolution of the edema in the femoral head. This case underlines the importance of maintaining a clinical suspicion for pathology of the hip during pregnancy and the subsequent consequences of a missed diagnosis.

Atraumatic diplaced bilateral femoral neck fracture in a patient with hypophosphatemic rickets in postpartum period: A missed diagnosis

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There are very few cases reported in the literature about simultaneous bilateral femoral neck fracture.

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Simultaneous bilateral femoral neck fractures are seen more frequently in elderly patients because of the reduction of bone quality and osteoporosis.

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For patients with bone metabolic diseases and/or the patients in pregnancy and postpartum period, preventive measures should be increased to reduce the risk of pathologic fracture.

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Admitting to the hospital we must be more careful about detecting fractures in these patients.

Introduction

Simultaneous bilateral femoral neck fracture is an uncommon condition. There are very few cases reported in the literature and most of these cases have underlying bone pathologies such as renal osteodystrophy and osteomalacia. In some cases bilateral femoral neck fractures occur due to generalized seizures or high-energy trauma.

Presentation of case

In this case report “atraumatic bilateral femoral neck fracture in a 26 year old woman in postpartum period with hypophosphatemic rickets disease” is presented.

Discussion

Femoral neck fractures are more frequently seen in elderly because of the reduction of bone quality and developing osteoporosis. In the literature generalized epilepsy, osteomalacia, hypovitaminosis D and chronic renal failure are shown as facilitating causes of bilateral femoral neck fractures. In patients without any additional pathology electric shock, electroconvulsive therapy, and high-energy trauma can lead to femoral neck fractures. In our patient there was also an underlying pathology, she has been followed due to autosomal recessive hypophosphatemic rickets disease since she was one year old. In the treatment of bilateral femoral neck fractures open/closed reduction internal fixation or hip arthroplasty are applied.

Conclusion

For patients with bone metabolic diseases and/or the patients in pregnancy and postpartum period, preventive measures should be increased to reduce the risk of pathologic fracture. Admitting to the hospital physicians must be more careful about detecting fractures in these patients.

Non-traumatic, bilateral subcapital femoral fractures postpartum

A 28-year-old Romanian woman, presented 2 weeks postnatally with pain in her left hip. Plain radiography suggested a left intracapsular, subcapital hip fracture. A CT scan of the pelvis showed diffuse osteopaenia with bilateral subcapital fractures of both femurs. From this imaging and subsequent investigation, a diagnosis of transient osteoporosis of pregnancy was made. The patient was treated with a closed reduction and cannulated screw fixation. Rehabilitative treatment, vitamin D, calcium and bisphosphonate therapy were initiated. She remains under close follow-up from orthopaedic, rheumatological and endocrine teams. Multiple opportunities were missed to identify the source of the patient's pain and inability to weight bear. Early detection and management of this condition is crucial because of the associated morbidity, including debilitating pain, reduced mobility, fractures and avascular necrosis. Cessation of breastfeeding, adequate pain relief, early use of bisphosphonates and rehabilitative treatment are essential.