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Femoral Stress Fracture

Written by Tele Demetrious

Updated:

(Also known as Stress Fracture of the Femur)

What is a femoral stress fracture?

A femoral stress fracture is a condition characterized by an incomplete crack in the femur (thigh bone).

The femur is the anatomical name given to the long bone of the thigh (figure 1).

Femoral Stress Fracture
Figure 1 – Relevant Anatomy for a Femoral Stress Fracture

Several muscles of the hip, knee and thigh attach to the femur. When these muscles contract, a pulling force is exerted on the bone. In addition, weight bearing activity places compressive forces on the femur. When these forces are excessive or too repetitive, and beyond what the bone can withstand, bony damage can gradually occur. This initially results in a bony stress reaction, however, with continued damage may progress to a femoral stress fracture.

Cause of a femoral stress fracture

A stress fracture of the femur typically occurs over time with excessive weight bearing activity such as running, sprinting, jumping or dancing. They often occur following a recent increase in activity or change in training conditions (such as surface, footwear or technique changes etc) and are particularly common in long distance runners.

Signs and symptoms of a femoral stress fracture

Patients with this condition typically experience a poorly localized pain in the front of the thigh that increases with impact activity (such as running, jumping, sprinting and hopping) and decreases with rest. Pain may also cause the patient to cease activity.

Occasionally, pain may radiate to the knee or back of the thigh. In severe cases, walking or standing may be enough to aggravate symptoms. Other symptoms may include night ache, pain when sitting with the thigh over the edge of a chair (especially if a downwards force is applied to the end of the thigh) or pain on firmly touching the affected region of the bone.

Diagnosis of a femoral stress fracture

A thorough subjective and objective examination from a physiotherapist may be sufficient to diagnose a femoral stress fracture. Further investigations such as an X-ray, MRI, CT scan or bone scan are usually required to confirm diagnosis and determine the severity of injury.

Prognosis of a femoral stress fracture

With appropriate physiotherapy management, most patients with a femoral stress fracture can make a full recovery (i.e. return to sport or normal activities) in a period of 3-12 months. In more severe cases, recovery may take 1-2 years, or longer, depending on the intervention required and a range of other factors. In rare cases, some patients may experience ongoing symptoms or complications which may require further management.

Treatment for a femoral stress fracture

Treatment for a stress fracture of the femur typically involves an initial period of rest from weight bearing activity. This may involve a period of reduced activity or the use of crutches for a number of weeks. Following this, a gradual increase in weight bearing activity and exercise can usually occur as tolerated, provided symptoms do not increase. This should take place over a period of weeks to months with direction from the treating physiotherapist and will vary depending on the severity of the injury.

Ignoring symptoms or adopting a ‘no pain, no gain’ attitude is likely to cause further damage and may slow healing or prevent healing of the femoral stress fracture altogether. Immediate, appropriate treatment is essential to ensure a speedy recovery.

Manual “hands-on” therapy from the physiotherapist such as massage, trigger point release techniques, dry needling, joint mobilisation, stretches, and electrotherapy can assist with hastening healing, improving range of movement, pain and function and correcting factors contributing to the development of the femoral stress fracture. This can generally commence once the physiotherapist has indicated it is safe to do so.

Patients should also perform pain free flexibility and strengthening exercises as part of their rehabilitation to ensure an optimal outcome. Alternative activities placing minimal weight bearing forces through the affected bone should be performed to maintain fitness such as swimming, cycling and water running. The treating physiotherapist can advise which activities are most appropriate for the patient and when they should be commenced.

In the final stages of rehabilitation for a femoral stress fracture, a gradual return to activity or sport can occur as guided by the treating physiotherapist provided symptoms do not increase. This may involve a gradual return to running program to recondition the femur to running in a safe and effective manner.

Appropriate footwear advice and / or the use of orthotics may also be indicated in those patients whose lower limb biomechanics are likely to have contributed to the development of the femoral stress fracture. Training technique or training methods may also need addressing to decrease the likelihood of injury recurrence.

Contributing factors to the development of a femoral stress fracture

There are several factors which may contribute to the development of a femoral stress fracture. These need to be assessed and where possible corrected with direction from the treating physiotherapist. Some of these factors include:

Physiotherapy for a femoral stress fracture

Physiotherapy treatment for patients with a femoral stress fracture is vital to hasten healing, prevent injury recurrence and ensure an optimal outcome. Treatment may comprise:

Other intervention for a femoral stress fracture

Despite appropriate physiotherapy management, some patients with this condition do not improve and require other intervention to ensure an optimal outcome. The treating physiotherapist or doctor can advise on the best course of management when this is the case. This may include further investigations such as X-rays, CT scan, MRI or bone scan, extended periods of crutches use, review with a podiatrist for possible orthotics or referral to appropriate medical authorities who can advise on any intervention that may be appropriate to improve the femoral stress fracture. Occasionally, patients with this condition may require surgery to stabilize the stress fracture and aid healing.

Exercises for a femoral stress fracture

The following exercises are commonly prescribed to patients with a stress fracture of the femur. You should discuss the suitability of these exercises with your physiotherapist prior to beginning them. Generally, they should be performed 3 times daily once the physiotherapist has indicated it is safe to do so and only provided they do not cause or increase symptoms.

Hip & Knee Bend to Straighten

Take your knee to your chest as far as possible without increasing your pain allowing your knee to bend (figure 2). Then return to the starting position. Repeat 10 – 20 times provided there is no increase in symptoms.

Exercises for a Femoral Stress Fracture - Hip & Knee Bend to Straighten
Figure 2 – Hip & Knee Bend to Straighten (left leg)

Static Quadriceps Contraction

Tighten the muscle at the front of your thigh (quadriceps) by pushing your knee down into a towel (figure 3). Put your fingers on your inner quadriceps to feel the muscle tighten during contraction. Hold for 5 seconds and repeat 10 times as hard as possible without increasing your symptoms.

Exercises for a Femoral Stress Fracture - Static Quadriceps Contraction
Figure 3 – Static Quadriceps Contraction (left leg)

Find a Physio

Find a physiotherapist in your local area who can treat a femoral stress fracture.

 

Physiotherapy products for a femoral stress fracture

Some commonly recommended products by physiotherapists for patients with a femoral stress fracture include:

  1. Crutches
  2. Ice Packs or Heat Packs
  3. Duradiscs or Wobbleboards (for balance exercises)

To purchase physiotherapy products for a femoral stress fracture click on one of the above links or visit the PhysioAdvisor Shop.

 

Other Exercises

More Information

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