Tip-of-the-Iceberg Fractures: Small Fractures That Mean Big Trouble.

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.