Salter-Harris type II fracture

Last revised by Mina Sameh Rizk on 15 Jun 2023

Salter-Harris type II fractures are the most common type of physeal fractures that occur in children. There is a fracture that extends through the physis and into a portion of the metaphysis. A triangular metaphyseal fragment, otherwise known as the Thurston Holland fragment, will be left intact.

Epidemiology

Approximately 75% of physeal fractures will be a Salter-Harris type II with 33-50% occurring at the distal radius. Other common fracture sites are the distal tibia, distal fibula and, phalanges 2,3.

Radiographic features

In reality, the majority of fractures that involve the physis have at least a small fragment of metaphysis associated with them and are therefore type II injuries.

Plain radiograph

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