Salter-Harris fractures

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Salter-Harris Fractures: Descriptive terms for fractures affecting the growth plate of a bone. Once bone growth has completed, the term "Salter-Harris Fracture" no longer applies.

[edit] Types

Salter Harris Fracture Types

There are six types of Salter-Harris fractures:^[1]

• Type I - A transverse fracture through the growth plate (also referred to as the "physis")^[2] : 6% incidence

• Type II - A fracture through the growth plate and the metaphysis, sparing the epiphysis:^[3] 75% incidence

• Type III - A fracture through growth plate and epiphysis, sparing the metaphysis:^[4] 8% incidence

• Type IV - A fracture through all three elements of the bone, the growth plate, metaphysis, and epiphysis:^[5] 10% incidence

• Type V - A compression fracture of the growth plate (resulting in a decrease in the perceived space between the epiphysis and diaphysis on x-ray):^[6] 1% incidence

• Type VI - Injury to the peripheral portion of the physis and a resultant bony bridge formation which my produce an angular deformity. (Added in 1969 by Mercer Rang.)

[edit] SALTR mnemonic for classification

The mnemonic "SALTR" can be used to help remember the first five types^[7][8][9]. This mnemonic requires the reader to imagine the bones as long bones, with the epiphyses at the base.

• I - S = Slipped. Slipped growth plate.
• II - A = Above. The fracture lies above the growth plate.
• III - L = Lower. The fracture is lower than (below) the growth plate.
• IV - T = Through. The fracture is through the growth plate (including the metaphysis and epiphysis).
• V - R = Rammed. The growth plate has been rammed (or ruined).

[edit] See also

• Paul Jules Tillaux

[edit] References

1. ^ 00358 at CHORUS
2. ^ S.H. Type I - Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics
3. ^ S.H. Type II - Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics
4. ^ Salter Harris Type III Frx - Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics
5. ^ Salter Harris: Type IV - Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics
6. ^ Type V - Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics
7. ^ Davis, Ryan. Blueprints Radiology. Retrieved on 2008-03-03.
8. ^ Gaillard, Frank. Radiopedia. Retrieved on 2008-03-03.
9. ^ Tidey, Brian. Salter-Harris Fractures. Retrieved on 2008-03-03.

[edit] External links

• "Growth Plate (Physeal) Fractures" at emedicine.com
• http://medicine.ucsd.edu/bonepit/Classifications/Salter%20Harris%20and%20Ogden%20classification%20of%20physeal%20fractures.htm
• ORT185 at FPnotebook

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