Salter Harris Fracture

Salter Harris Fx

• Fx involving epiphyseal plate/ growth plate of a bone

• Common injury in children

Type I

• Complete separation of epiphysis without bone fracture. Growth cells of epiphyseal plate remain with epiphysis

• Newborn/ young children, because epiphyseal plate is still thick.

• Shearing force• Periosteal attachment is intact close reduction• Good prognosis

Type II

• Most common type• Fx through growth plate and a portion of

metaphysis• Older children, because epiphyseal plate is

relatively thin• Close reduction in easy to obtain and maintain• Shearing and bending force• Good prognosis

Type III

• Fx is intra-articular• From joint surface to epiphyseal plate zone

and along the plate to periphery• Teenager, because one part of epiphyseal

plate has already closed• Open reduction and internal fixation are

necessary• Prognosis good

Type IV

• Fx is intra-articular• From joint surface throughr the epiphysis

across the growth plate and through a portion of metaphysis.

• Open reduction and internal skeletal fixation are absolutely necessary

• Prognosis is bad unless perfect reduction is obtained and maintained

Type V

• Severe crushing force through the epiphysis to one area of the epiphyseal plate

• Common in ankle and knee • Difficult to diagnose• Prognosis is bad, because premature cessation

of growth is almost inevitable