Metaphyseal fracture

Last revised by Jeremy Jones on 18 Sep 2021

Metaphyseal fractures are fractures that involve the metaphysis of tubular bones. They may occur in pediatric or adult patients.

Examples of metaphyseal fractures:

Not all metaphyseal fractures intersect the physis. Even if a fracture does extend to the physis, it does not make it a Salter-Harris fracture. Salter-Harris fractures are those which either traverse the physis or extend along the physis.

Differential diagnosis

It is also worth making the distinction between a metaphyseal fracture and a metaphyseal corner fracture. Metaphyseal corner fractures are highly suggestive of inflicted non-accidental injury.

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