Causes of Femoral Neck Bone Stress Injuries:

A bone stress injury occurs when there is a mismatch between training and recovery. This is because the body doesn’t have the time or energy to relay down the bone after the repetitive movement breaks it down. However, the underlying causes of this type of bone stress injury can vary from the more common bone stress injuries (shins and feet). This is because the area of bone in the femoral neck is trabecular rather than cortical bone. This means that it is more energy dependent. Although, spiking your load, overtraining and decreased bone density can increase your risk of this injury, having a disrupted energy intake due to low caloric intake or disturbed menstrual cycles can also place you at a higher risk.

Prevention:

Gradual Training Progression:

Incremental increases in exercise intensity and duration help the body adapt to stress.

Proper Technique:

Ensuring proper running or walking technique can reduce the impact on the femoral neck.

Cross-Training:

Incorporating low-impact activities and strength training into the routine can enhance overall fitness and reduce the risk of stress injuries.

Regular Monitoring:

Athletes should pay attention to their bodies, promptly addressing any signs of pain or discomfort

Nutritional Uptake

Athletes should ensure they are meeting all their nutritional and caloric needs to undertake their training loads. Collaborating with a dietician may be recommended to assist athletes with this.