[Bilateral fracture of the femoral neck following transient osteoporosis in pregnancy]

Abstract

During pregnancy changes of the bone metabolism can occur. Femoral neck fractures are known as a very rare consequence of transient osteoporosis in pregnancy. In a case report we present the clinical, radiological and histological features of a bilateral fracture of the femoral neck. A 29-year-old woman presented with pain in the right hip, which occurred in the 34 (th) week of pregnancy. The symptoms were initially interpreted as a sacroiliac joint affection and consequently a conservative treatment was initiated. Five days after a Caesarean section a dislocated fracture of the femoral neck was diagnosed on the left side. On the contralateral side the fracture was not dislocated. For therapy this patient underwent a total hip replacement on the left hand side and an internal fixation on the other side. Especially during pregnancy changes of the bone are diagnosed late due to the side effects of radiation. This case report indicates that MR imaging and other non-ionising techniques should be considered if such symptoms persist in spite of therapy.