Abstract

"Toddler's fracture" can be difficult to diagnose but should be suspected whenever a child presents to the accident and emergency department with a limp or fails to bear weight on the leg. Irritable hip and subacute osteomyelitis must feature in the differential diagnosis. The history may or may not include an obvious traumatic episode. Rather than fracture, elastic bowing of the bone and consequent periosteal stripping may explain symptoms in some cases.