Stress fractures of ankle and wrist in childhood: nature and frequency.
BACKGROUND
Stress fractures of many etiologies are found not infrequently in various tarsal bones but are less commonly recognized in carpal bones.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the distribution of tarsal and carpal stress fractures.


METHODS
During the last three decades, the senior author collected locations of tarsal and carpal bone stress fracture callus seen on plain radiographs.


RESULTS
527 children with tarsal and carpal stress fractures were identified (88 children had multiple bones involved). The totals were: calcaneus 244, cuboid 188, talus 121, navicular 24, cuneiforms 23, capitate 18, lunate 1, and scaphoid 1. Stress fractures were more frequently seen once we became aware each particular bone could be involved.


CONCLUSIONS
Tarsal and carpal stress fractures in children are not rare. Careful perusal of these bones is urged in all susceptible children with limping or wrist pain.
Oestreich
Alan E
AE
Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, MLC 5031, 3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA. alan.oestreich@cchmc.org
Bhojwani
Nicholas
N
D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002348:Carpal Bones / Q000293:injuries; D002648:Child; D015775:Fractures, Stress / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013639:Tarsal Bones / Q000293:injuries; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging