Salter-Harris classification

A Salter-Harris fracture is a type of fracture that affects the epiphyseal plate, or growth plate, of a bone, particularly in the zone of provisional calcification. It represents a category of bone fractures in children and accounts for 15% of fractures in children's long bones. The classification system for this fracture is named after Robert B. Salter and William H. Harris, who introduced it in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery in 1963.

Type I – Transverse fracture through the growth plate, also known as the physis, with a 6% incidence rate. 

Type II – Fracture through the growth plate and metaphysis, leaving the epiphysis intact; this type accounts for 75% of cases and may take 12-90 weeks or more to heal in the spine.

Type III – Fracture through the growth plate and epiphysis, sparing the metaphysis, with an 8% incidence rate.

Type IV – Fracture through all three components: the growth plate, metaphysis, and epiphysis, with a 10% incidence rate.

Type V – Compression fracture of the growth plate, resulting in reduced space between the epiphysis and metaphysis on an X-ray, with a 1% incidence rate.

Type VI – Injury to the peripheral portion of the physis leading to bony bridge formation that may cause an angular deformity; this category was added by Mercer Rang in 1969.

Type VII – Isolated injury to the epiphyseal plate, a classification added by JA Ogden in 1982.

Type VIII – Isolated injury to the metaphysis that may affect endochondral ossification.

Type IX – Injury to the periosteum that could impair intramembranous ossification.


Salter–Harris fracture - Wikipedia