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Updated: Apr 5, 2026
Imaging of the Microstructural Failure Mechanism in the Human Hip
Published on: September 29, 2023
Tip-of-the-Iceberg Fractures: Small Fractures That Mean Big Trouble
Jennifer L Pierce1, Erin C McCrum1, Alexandra K Rozas1
11 Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, 1215 Lee St, Box 800170, Charlottesville, VA 22908.
Objective:
Several small and seemingly unimportant fractures are associated with other more serious injuries, usually to adjacent soft tissues. The purpose of this article is to discuss 11 of these injuries, in each case describing the fracture (the tip) and the injuries that lie beneath the surface (the iceberg).
Conclusion:
Some fractures should be considered analogous to the tip of an iceberg. Their recognition is important because the commonly associated injuries, which are often more serious than the fracture itself, are typically not evident on radiographs and require advanced imaging for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
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