Anthony Summers explains how emergency nurse practitioners can recognise two common bone variants in X-rays of the foot and ankle that are often mistaken for fracture
Accessory ossicles and sesamoid bones are normal variants of bone development. In foot and ankle X-rays these bones can appear similar to, or can obscure, fractures, which makes the X-rays difficult to interpret. This article illustrates and describes some of the more common ossicles and sesamoid bones, and provides a brief description of the management of the patients with foot or ankle pain whose X-rays are inconclusive.
Emergency Nurse. 22, 10, 27-32. doi: 10.7748/en.22.10.27.e1404
Correspondenceanthony_summers@health.qld.gov.au
Peer reviewThis article has been subject to double blind peer review
Conflict of interestNone declared
Received: 05 December 2014
Accepted: 29 December 2014
or
Alternatively, you can purchase access to this article for the next seven days. Buy now
Are you a student? Our student subscription has content especially for you.
Find out more
