Toddler's fracture of the calcaneum

Calcaneal fractures in very young children are thought to be rare. We report on seven calcaneal fractures in children under the age of 36 months in the absence of a history of significant injury. In five cases plain radiology was normal, but the diagnosis was reached using scintigraphy. We suggest that this is not such a rare injury, and that wider use of scintigraphy will assist in making the diagnosis. The prognosis of this injury is excellent.