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Not uncommon. Metatarsal fractures too. > We know > these things happen but what is the scientific reason the > fracture doesn't show on the original film taken on the day > of injury? They don't show on the day of injury because they are undisplaced fractures and in the wrong plane- in the plane of the x-ray beam there isn't a gap for the little rays to get through. Kind of like stress fractures of the navicular that are really obvious on CT but not on plain films because of the wrong plane. A few days later, there's been a bit of osteoclasis, so more rays get through the gap. Metatarsals tend to displace quite a lot over the first week as well. You might pick up a few of these on ultrasound; and you'd certainly pick some up on CT or MRI. Matt Dunn Warwick This email has been scanned for viruses by NAI GS6, however we are unable to accept responsibility for any damage caused by the contents. The opinions expressed in this email represent the views of the sender, not South Warwickshire General Hospitals NHS Trust unless explicity stated. If you have received this email in error please notify the sender. The information contained in this email may be subject to public disclosure under the NHS Code of Openness or the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Unless the information is legally exempt from disclosure, the confidentiality of this e-mail and your reply cannot be guaranteed.