Intermediate
Technical
IVT
toddler's fracture
A subtle spiral fracture of the tibia in young children, often presenting with minimal clinical signs.
Full Definition
A toddler's fracture is a non-displaced spiral fracture of the distal third of the tibia that occurs in children aged 1-4 years. The fracture typically results from a low-energy twisting mechanism during normal toddler activities. These fractures are notoriously difficult to detect on initial radiographs and may require follow-up imaging or advanced techniques like MRI for diagnosis. The term is important for radiologists to distinguish from non-accidental trauma patterns.
Usage
Usage note: Capitalize when referring to the specific fracture type; use lowercase when describing general toddler injuries.
In Context
- "The radiologist suspected a toddler's fracture despite negative initial films given the clinical presentation." — radiology report
- "Follow-up radiographs revealed periosteal reaction consistent with healing toddler's fracture." — follow-up imaging
Also known as
spiral tibial fracture
occult tibial fracture
Don't confuse with
stress fracture
metaphyseal corner fracture