Sub-Trochanteric Hip Fracture Following Core Decompression for Osteonecrosis in a Patient with a Pre-Existing Contralateral Occult Femoral Neck Fracture.

We present a unique case of a 62-year-old patient with bilateral osteonecrosis of the femoral heads secondary to corticosteroid use. She presented with an occult right femoral neck fracture and was treated with percutaneous pinning of the right femoral neck and a left-sided percutaneous drilling. Despite apparent appropriate technique, the patient sustained a left sub-trochanteric hip fracture while shifting in bed in the postoperative care unit and was taken back for cephalo-medullary nail fixation. Femoral head osteonecrosis may be an under-reported risk factor for development of pathological neck fractures. We present an overview of this topic along with suggestions for joint preservation treatment of similar patients at higher risk for perioperative fracture.