An avulsion fracture is where a tendon or ligament tears off a bone, taking a fragment of the bone away with it.

Page updated December 2023 by Dr Sheila Strover (Clinical Editor)

SegondFracture
In this person, there is a tiny avulsion fracture where the anterolateral ligament has pulled off from the tibia.

 

What is the importance of an avulsion fracture?"

The bony fragment of an avulsion fracture may be easily missed on X-ray. Common avulsions include tibial tubercle avulsion and tibial spine avulsion.

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How is an avulsion fracture treated?"

Most avulsion fractures will heal if the knee is immobilised and rested. Where healing does not occur, the bone fragment may be reattached with a staple.

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Peer-reviewed papers

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Dr Sheila Strover (Editor)
BSc (Hons), MB BCh, MBA

See biography...