Published online Jun 18, 2019. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v10.i6.247
Peer-review started: January 25, 2019
First decision: March 14, 2019
Revised: April 13, 2019
Accepted: May 21, 2019
Article in press: May 23, 2019
Published online: June 18, 2019
Core tip: Stress fractures of the femoral neck among young adults are extremely rare. They usually result from either fatigue or predisposing conditions that give rise to weakened bones. We present a case of bilateral sequential femoral neck stress fractures in a young adult with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the absence of comorbidities. Several mechanisms of HIV/ART induced osteopenia and osteoporosis are indicated to have played a role in predisposing our case towards such a presentation. Our case study adds to the paucity of evidence exploring the association between HIV/ART and reduced bone mineral density. Our case highlights the need for screening and prophylactic treatment for osteopenia and osteoporosis coexisting with HIV infection and ART.