Salter-Harris fractures: Difference between revisions

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==Types==
==Types==
===Type 1- slip===
===Type 1 (Slip)===
* slip through epiphysis
* slip through epiphysis
* mostly in infants and todlers
* mostly in infants and todlers
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* good prognosis
* good prognosis


===Type 2- above===
===Type 2 (Above)===
* fx thru\above metaphysis. fx thru hypertrophic zone of physis and then above thru metaphysis.
* fx thru\above metaphysis. fx thru hypertrophic zone of physis and then above thru metaphysis.
* most common type of fx
* most common type of fx
* segment of metaphyseal bone called Thurston Holland fragment
* segment of metaphyseal bone called Thurston Holland fragment


===Type 3- below===
===Type 3 (Below)===
* intraarticular fx
* intraarticular fx
* relatively rare
* relatively rare
* the greater displacement, greater chance of vasc supply compromise and greater chance of growth disturbance
* the greater displacement, greater chance of vasc supply compromise and greater chance of growth disturbance


===Type 4- both===
===Type 4 (Both)===
* starts at articular surface thru epiphysis thru physisi thru metaphys
* starts at articular surface thru epiphysis thru physisi thru metaphys
* mostly at distal humerus
* mostly at distal humerus


===Type 5- crush===
===Type 5 (Crush)===
* most rare type
* most rare type
* highest chance of growth arrest
* highest chance of growth arrest

Revision as of 23:47, 7 June 2011

Background

  • is composed of proliferating cartilage cells and lacks inherent strength and therfore easily damaged.
  • injury can happen at any age but most common during period of rapid growth
  • if missed- prematume closure and bone growth arrest
  • most common after age 10
  • more in boys- more active and later skeletal maturity than girls
  • funtion of physis is for rapid longitudinal bone growth
  • distal radius most common site
  • ligaments stronger than bones in kids- more likely to fx than sprain
  • repetitive stress injury can also cause it
  • suspect if point tenderness over physis and neg xray

Types

Type 1 (Slip)

  • slip through epiphysis
  • mostly in infants and todlers
  • by shearing torsion avulsion
  • fx thru hypertrophic zone with growing cells remaining on the epiphysis in continuity with blood supply
  • no osseous fx
  • good prognosis

Type 2 (Above)

  • fx thru\above metaphysis. fx thru hypertrophic zone of physis and then above thru metaphysis.
  • most common type of fx
  • segment of metaphyseal bone called Thurston Holland fragment

Type 3 (Below)

  • intraarticular fx
  • relatively rare
  • the greater displacement, greater chance of vasc supply compromise and greater chance of growth disturbance

Type 4 (Both)

  • starts at articular surface thru epiphysis thru physisi thru metaphys
  • mostly at distal humerus

Type 5 (Crush)

  • most rare type
  • highest chance of growth arrest
  • compression crushes cells of zone of reserve and proliferation
  • minimal or no displacement of epiphysis
  • usually at knee or ankle by severe adduction abductn
  • usually dx in retrospect once bone growth abnormality already seen

Mneumonic

S 1- Slipped (thru epiphysis)

A 2- Above (epiphysis c metaphysis fx)

L 3- Lower (thru epiphysis)

T 4- Through (epi and meta)

R 5- Rammed (growth plate crushed)

(*reference joint is below*)

Diagnosis

X rays

  • can have acute fx ang neg x ray- look for point tenderness over physis
  • type 2-3-4 can see on xray
  • type 1 - 5 can be occult
  • type 5 may have effusion
  • can also use stress radiography

Treatment

  • type 1 2- splint
  • type 3-4- surg, probably ORIF
  • type 5- ortho, casting and nonwt bearing