Osteomalacia and coxa vara. An unusual co-existence for femoral neck stress fracture

INTRODUCTION: Femoral neck stress fractures are not uncommon. Several causes exist about these fractures. Osteomalacia is one of the most common cause of insufficiency fractures and coxa vara can produce a focal concentration of mechanical stress in the femoral neck and may cause stress fractures. This case study is about the co-existence of these two pathologies in a patient with bilateral femoral neck stress fracture. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 26-year-old woman admitted to our department with a complaint of bilateral groin pain and diagnosed as bilateral coxa vara and osteomalacia. Medical treatment for osteomalacia and staged bilateral Pauwels’ osteotomy was performed. After 2 years of follow-up, good result was obtained. DISCUSSION: There are several risk factors for stress fractures and osteomalacia and coxa vara are two of the causes. Osteomalacia results in softening of the bones and coxa vara can produce a focal concentration of stresses in the femoral neck. CONCLUSION: Joint and bone pain without any trauma should be investigated and bone metabolism disorders should be kept in mind. There might be co-existing factors related with stress fractures, and they must be treated simultaneously.