title: Isolated avulsion fracture of the lesser tuberosity of the humerus: A case report.
abstract: Isolated avulsion fractures of the lesser tuberosity are extremely rare. A 24-year-old woman fell on her back as her arm was forcibly extended and adducted. Radiographs revealed a small fragment of bone beneath the glenoid. Axillary radiography showed the bone fragment and a bone defect of the lesser tuberosity. Computed tomography scan clearly demonstrated those findings. Surgery was performed 3 weeks after the occurrence of the injury. The bone fragment was reduced and fixed by means of two screws. After 3 weeks, light exercise was started. At follow-up 7 months later she had no complaints. Most reported cases involved sudden contraction of the subscapularis tendon. This type of fracture is sometimes misdiagnosed; computed tomography scan is useful for diagnosis. Previously reported cases have similarly demonstrated a good outcome after surgery, except in cases involving children.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Maikodai Hospital, Kobe, Japan; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shin-Suma Hospital, Kobe, Japan; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kobe University School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kuroda
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Go
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ojima
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nishi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mizuno