Abstract
Three cases of isolated avulsion fracture of the lesser tuberosity are described together with a review of six previously reported cases. Of the total cases, six had a well-documented mode of injury, in which a strong abducting force was applied to the medial aspect of the upper arm, causing exaggerated abduction and external rotation. The contracting subscapularis muscle displaces the avulsed bony insertion to a position below the glenoid to give a characteristic appearance on the radiograph. This appearance should not be confused with calcific tendonitis. The lesion may warrant surgical intervention which has been successful in half the cases.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Andreasen AT (1948) Avulsion fracture of lesser tuberosity of humerus. Lancet I:750
Clifford PC (1980) Fractures of the neck of the humerus. A review of the late results. Injury 12:91
De Palma AF, Cautille RA (1961) Fractures of the upper end of the humerus. Clin Orthop 21:73
Einarsson F (1958) Fractures of the upper end of the humerus. Discussion based on follow up of 302 cases. Acta Orthop Scand [Suppl] 32:131
Haas SL (1944) Fracture of the lesser tuberosity of the humerus. Am J Surg 63:253
Hartigan JW (1895) Separation of the lesser tuberosity of the head of the humerus. (Letter to the editor.) NY State Med J 61:276
La Briola JH, Mohaghegh HA (1975) Isolated avulsion fracture of the lesser tuberosity of the humerus. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 57:1011
Lorenz H (1900–1901) Deut Zeitschr Chir 58:593
McGuiness JP (1939) Isolated avulsion fracture of the lesser tuberosity of the humerus. Lancet I:508
Mills HJ, Horne G (1985) Fractures of the proximal humerus in adults. J Trauma 25:801
Neer CS (1970) Displaced proximal humeral fractures. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 52:1077
Stangl FH (1933) Isolated fracture of the lesser tuberosity of the humerus. Minn Med 16:435
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Earwaker, J. Isolated avulsion fracture of the lesser tuberosity of the humerus. Skeletal Radiol. 19, 121–125 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00197619
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00197619