Occult fracture of the calcaneus--another toddler's fracture.

Fractures of the calcaneus have been considered rare among children. We feel this may be erroneous since in the last 12 months we have seen 10 such fractures among children, 19 and 41 months of age, who presented with acute limping. The fractures were detected with bone imaging which was performed when initial radiographs were noncontributory. Subsequent radiographs of the calcaneus were positive for fracture in 4 of 10 while follow up radiographs confirmed healing fractures in the two children so evaluated. The sensitivity of bone imaging for the detection of occult fractures in toddlers is emphasized.