Is a Salter-Harris fracture bad?
With proper treatment, most Salter-Harris fractures heal without problems. More severe fractures can have complications, especially when the leg bone near the ankle or thigh bone near the knee are involved. Sometimes bone growth at the injury site may create a bony ridge that needs surgical removal.
Can an adult have a Salter-Harris fracture?
Salter-Harris fractures are described exclusively in children and do not occur in the well-developed bones of adults. In general, upper extremity injuries are more common than lower-extremity injuries.
How do you remember a Salter-Harris fracture?
SALTER mnemonic for classification
- I – S = Slip (separated or straight across). Fracture of the cartilage of the physis (growth plate)
- II – A = Above. The fracture lies above the physis, or Away from the joint.
- III – L = Lower.
- IV – TE = Through Everything.
- V – R = Rammed (crushed).
How is a Salter-Harris fracture diagnosed?
Salter-Harris fractures are diagnosed through x-rays and an examination. If your child is in a lot of pain, the doctor may also decide to get a computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to look at the injury after looking at x-rays.
At what age do growth plates close?
Growth plates usually close near the end of puberty. For girls, this usually is when they’re 13–15; for boys, it’s when they’re 15–17.
What does Salter stand for?
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)
Can a Salter-Harris fracture be seen on xray?
Radiographic findings vary according to the type of Salter-Harris fracture. With a type I fracture, initial radiographs may suggest separation of the physis, but this separation may not be apparent. However, soft-tissue swelling is present, and its center typically overlies the physis.
How long does it take for a growth plate fracture to heal?
Typically, it takes several weeks for a growth plate to fully heal. Your orthopedic physician or physical therapist will likely recommend special physical therapy exercises and stretches to promote further healing.
At what age do men stop growing?
Growth charts show that majority of guys grow just a little after the ages of 18. In rare cases, some people may hit puberty in their late teens and continue to grow into their early twenties. The reason most guys stop growing at this age is because their growth plates fuse shortly after puberty.
What kind of fracture is a Salter I fracture?
Salter I (Slipped) This is when the fracture line extends through the physis or within the growth plate. Type I fractures are due to the longitudinal force applied through the physis which splits the epiphysis from the metaphysis.
Which is an example of a Tillaux fracture?
If the fracture extends the complete length of the physis, this type of fracture may form two epiphyseal segments. Since the epiphysis is involved, damage to the articular cartilage may occur. One example of this is a Tillaux fracture of the ankle, which is a fracture of the anterolateral aspect of the growth plate andepiphysis.
What kind of fracture is a SH 4 Fracture?
SH 4 is a longitudinal fracture extending through the epiphysis, physis and metaphysis. It is commonly seen in the medial and lateral condyles and epicondyles of the distal humerus and in the medial malleolus. Displacement can be caused by the original injury and by muscle pull.
How to tell SH 1 fracture from arrowheads?
Sagittal T1-weighted MR image of the ankle demonstrates formation of a bony bar (arrowheads) across the growth plate 2 years after a SH 1 fracture. A T2-weighted axial (long axis) view of the base of the 1st metatarsal reveals a growth disturbance (arrowhead) from a remote physeal injury.