University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City 52242, USA.
Avulsion fractures of the lesser trochanter in adults are almost always due to metastatic bone disease. Familiarity with this characteristic association can lead to early diagnosis and assist the orthopaedist in implementing effective management. We report three patients with avulsion of the lesser trochanter due to neoplasm. In one patient, this was the first sign of metastatic disease; in another patient, there was no history of a primary neoplasm and the avulsion was the first evidence of disease.