|
Salter-Harris fractures are injuries to growth plates
in children and teenagers.
Injuries are classified as into five basic types:
- Type I which involves a fracture
through the physis from one end to the other
- Type II which involves a fracture that enters through the physis but exits
away from the joint leading to the characteristic Thurston-Holland sign.
- Type III involves a fracture that go through
the physis and exits through the joint or vice versa
- Type IV involves a fracture that goes through the joint, the physis
and exits the metaphysis.
- Type V is a crush injury
Depending on the type, age of the patient, and amount of displacement
will increase the likelihood of growth arrest. Growth arrest is always a concern for any physeal injury and is why pediatric
fractures should be followed for a minimum of a year especially when dealing with the tibia and fibula.
|
|
Salter- Harris I of the phalanx
|
Distal tibia fracture in a 15 year old
|
Distal tibial fracture in a 10 year old with a much higher energy and displacement
|
|
Salter-Harris II of the distal tibia
|
CT-SCAN reveal the degree of displacement
|
|
|
Salter-Harris III with fracture through the joint
|
|
CT-SCAN is vital in determining whether surgery is indicated and which way screws should be directed
|
|
|
|
|
