Salter-Harris fractures

Salter-Harris Fractures: Descriptive terms for fractures affecting the growth plate of a bone. Once bone growth has completed, the term "Salter-Harris Fracture" no longer applies.

Types
There are six types of Salter-Harris fractures:


 * Type I - A transverse fracture through the growth plate (also referred to as the "physis") : 6% incidence


 * Type II - A fracture through the growth plate and the metaphysis, sparing the epiphysis: 75% incidence


 * Type III - A fracture through growth plate and epiphysis, sparing the metaphysis: 8% incidence


 * Type IV - A fracture through all three elements of the bone, the growth plate, metaphysis, and epiphysis: 10% incidence


 * Type V - A compression fracture of the growth plate (resulting in a decrease in the perceived space between the epiphysis and diaphysis on x-ray): 1% incidence


 * Type VI - Injury to the peripheral portion of the physis and a resultant bony bridge formation which my produce an angular deformity. (Added in 1969 by Mercer Rang.)