Salter-Harris fractures
Classification and external resources
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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.

Contents 1 Types 2 SALTER mnemonic for classification 3 See also 4 References 5 External links

[edit] 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 may produce an angular deformity. (Added in 1969 by Mercer Rang.)

[edit] SALTER mnemonic for classification

The mnemonic "SALTER" 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 = Same. Fracture of the cartilage of the physis (growth plate)
• II - A = Above. The fracture lies above the physis.
• III - L = Lower. The fracture is below the physis in the epiphysis.
• IV - T = Through. The fracture is through the metaphysis, physis, and epiphysis.
• V - ER = Erased (crushed). The physis has been crushed.

[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". http://books.google.com.au/books?hl=en&lr=&id=coLSTFjlGqcC&oi=fnd&pg=PA12&dq=salter+harris+classification+SALTR&ots=WVQ-ieWDQQ&sig=qd2c4R78GMvcGqvLTa__G1oitQA#PPA83,M1. Retrieved 2008-03-03. 
8. ^ Gaillard, Frank. "Radiopedia". http://www.radiopaedia.org/index.php?title=SALTR. Retrieved 2008-03-03. 
9. ^ Tidey, Brian. "Salter-Harris Fractures". http://members.fortunecity.com/radrep/id36.htm. Retrieved 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<this link is dead

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