An acute fracture of the femoral neck complicating bone marrow edema in osteonecrosis of the femoral head, treated with total hip replacement

Bone marrow edema is a sign that can be accompanied with osteonecrosis of the femoral head. There is still controversy as to whether it is a reversible form of avascular necrosis or it is a disease entity of its own. The probability and extent of the edema correlate well with the pain and stage of the necrosis. Unlike transient osteoporosis of the hip and regional migratory osteoporosis which are spontaneously resolving conditions, osteonecrosis can cause significant changes in the hip joint. We present a case of a displaced fracture of the femoral neck complicating bone marrow edema in osteonecrosis of the femoral head, in a 42-year-old man, treated with a cementless total hip replacement. This case emphasizes a potential complication associated with the state of diffuse bone marrow edema of the hip.