A 10-year-old child falls from a height. Radiograph of the distal radius shows a fracture line passing through the physis and extending into the metaphysis, carrying a triangular metaphyseal fragment. According to the Salter-Harris classification, this is:

• A Type I
• B Type IV
• C Type III
• D Type II ✓

Explanation

Salter-Harris type II passes through the physis and exits through the metaphysis, producing the characteristic triangular Thurstan Holland metaphyseal fragment. It is the commonest physeal injury, accounting for roughly three quarters of cases, and carries a good prognosis. Type III crosses the physis and epiphysis, type IV crosses metaphysis, physis and epiphysis, and type I is confined to the physis without a metaphyseal fragment.

Reference: Rockwood and Green's Fractures in Adults, 9th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.