Salter Harris Fractures
Ankle Injury in Paediatrics
Whether obtaining an X-ray or not, if there is tenderness over region associated with a growth plate, do not forget the Salter Harris I ankle injury may be present. In this case, casting or using velcro type stirrup splint and ensuring Orthopaedic follow-up is warranted.
Salter-Harris Fracture (remember the mnemonic SALTR)
- Slipped (i.e., through growth plate and not involving bone) / Type I
- Above growth plate (i.e., through metaphysis) / Type II (most common)
- Lower growth plate (i.e., through epiphysis) / Type III
- Through (i.e., through metaphysis growth plate and epiphysis) / Type IV
- Rammed (i.e., Crush injury) / Type V (worst prognosis)