Salter-Harris type 1 fracture - finger

Case contributed by Andrew Dixon
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Little finger struck by football. ?fracture

Patient Data

Age: 15
Gender: Male

Fracture through the physis of the fifth distal phalanx with mild dorsal displacement and palmar angulation. No obvious fracture involvement of the metaphysis or epiphysis. Appearance is consistent with a Salter-Harris type 1 fracture. 

Case Discussion

Salter-Harris type 1 fracture of the fifth distal phalanx of the hand. This case is relatively rare as the majority of physeal finger fractures are of the Salter-Harris type 2 category with extension into the metaphysis.  

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.