An avulsion fracture is a type of bone fracture that occurs when a fragment of bone tears away from the main mass of bone due to physical trauma. This happens when a ligament or tendon pulls part of the bone off, usually as a result of a sudden, forceful contraction of the muscles. Avulsion fractures can occur in any area where soft tissue is attached to bone, but they are most common in the hip, elbow, ankle, and foot bones. They are also common in athletes and performers such as football players, ballet dancers, gymnasts, and skiers, whose activities involve a lot of sudden changes in direction, leaping, and kicking.

The symptoms of an avulsion fracture include pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the affected limb. Treatment typically involves resting and icing the affected area, followed by controlled exercises that help restore range of motion, improve muscle strength, and promote bone healing. Most avulsion fractures heal very well without surgical intervention, but in rare cases, surgery may be necessary to reunite the bone fragment and main bone if they are too far apart to fuse naturally. Accurate diagnosis is important because treatments and potential additional workup differ between each type of avulsion fracture.