"Must Know" Classifications: Gustillo Salter-Harris
"Must Know" Classifications: Gustillo Salter-Harris
Gustillo
Salter-Harris
Salter-Harris fractures are epiphyseal plate fractures and are common and important as they
can result in premature closure and therefore limb shortening and abnormal growth.
Conveniently the Salter-Harris types can be remembered by the mnemonic SALTR.
type I
slipped
5-7%
fracture plane passes all the way through the growth plate, not involving bone
cannot occur if the growth plate is fused reference required
good prognosis
type II
above
~ 75% (by far the most common)
fracture passes across most of the growth plate and up through the metaphysis
good prognosis
type III
lower
7-10%
fracture plane passes some distance along the growth plate and down through the epiphysis
poorer prognosis as the proliferative and reserve zones are interrupted
type IV
through or transverse or together
intra-articular
10%
fracture plane passes directly through the metaphysis, growth plate and down through the
epiphysis
poor prognosis as the proliferative and reserve zones are interrupted
type V
ruined or rammed
uncommon < 1%
crushing type injury does not displace the growth plate but damages it by direct compression
worst prognosis
Neer
GOOD TO KNOW
CLASSIFICATIONS