Secondary to a traumatic event, a child complains of pain in the index finger. An x-ray of the digit demonstrates a fracture line through the metaphysis of the proximal aspect of the middle phalanx, ending at the epiphyseal plate. What type of fracture does this child have?
A. Salter-Harris Type I
B. Salter-Harris Type II
C. Salter-Harris Type III
D. Salter-Harris Type IV
E. Salter-Harris Type V
Answer: B.
Salter-Harris Type II
The following spells SALTR and may help you remember:
- Salter I = slight increase in Space between epiphyseal plate and metaphysis
- Salter II = fx Above the plate (in the metaphysis)
- Salter III = fx Lower (in the epiphyseal plate)
- Salter IV = fit Through (both the metaphysic and epiphysis)
- Salter V = Really bad (comminuted fx compressing the epiphysis)
Know Your Content Blueprint
Fracture types are covered as part of the PANCE Musculoskeletal Blueprint
Review Topic: Types of Fractures and Salter-Harris Classification