Salter-Harris type I fracture of distal radius

Case contributed by Leonardo Lustosa
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Fall onto the outstretched hand. Forearm and wrist deformity upon physical examination.

Patient Data

Age: 11 years
Gender: Male

Forearm radiographs revealed a slipped epiphysis of the distal radius with dorsal displacement, in keeping with a Salter-Harris type I physeal fracture.

Also, there is a greenstick fracture of the ulna.

Case Discussion

The present case is a type I Salter-Harris fracture as there is a translation of the epiphysis without a noticeable fracture line.

Salter-Harris classification is used to describe physeal fractures. The classification can be remembered using the SALTR mnemonic:

  • S: slipped (type I)
  • A: above or away from joint (type II)
  • L: lower (type III)
  • T: through or transverse or together (type IV)
  • R: ruined or rammed (type V)

Also, there is a greenstick fracture of the ulna.

Both physeal and greenstick are fractures of the immature skeleton.

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