Pitfalls in the radiologic evaluation of extremity trauma: Part II. The lower extremity

Fractures of the lower extremity are common reasons for visits to family physicians. Some lower extremity fractures are especially likely to be missed. Examples of lesions that commonly go unrecognized include sacral insufficiency or fatigue fracture, fracture of the femoral neck (especially if the fracture is nondisplaced and/or impacted), tibial plateau fracture, Segond fracture (vertical fracture of the lateral tibia), patellar fracture, calcaneal fracture of the foot, Lisfranc fracture/dislocation of the tarsometatarsal apparatus, and Jones fracture of the fifth metatarsal. Lower extremity fracture in children may suggest the possibility of child abuse, especially in the case of multiple or bilateral fractures.