Salter-Harris Classification (Physeal Fractures)
Salter-Harris (1963), classic types I-VClassifies pediatric growth-plate (physeal) fractures into types I through V by the path of the fracture line relative to the metaphysis, physis, and epiphysis. Higher types carry progressively greater risk of growth arrest and more often need surgery.
Also searched as: pediatric · growth plate · physis · orthopedic
Interactive diagramClick the fracture pattern that matches the images
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- Select the Salter-Harris type (I-V) corresponding to the fracture line anatomy.
How this tool works
The Salter-Harris system, described in 1963, is the standard language for pediatric physeal injuries. Type I is a pure physeal separation, type II exits through the metaphysis (Thurston-Holland fragment), type III extends intra-articularly into the epiphysis, type IV crosses metaphysis, physis, and epiphysis, and type V is a crush injury of the physis. Later authors proposed extensions - type VI (injury of the perichondral ring), type VII (isolated epiphyseal injury), type VIII (isolated metaphyseal injury affecting the primary spongiosa), and type IX (periosteal injury) - but these are used inconsistently and are not part of the core classification. Normal radiographs do not exclude a type I or V injury in a symptomatic child; CT or MRI may be needed to define the pattern.
References
- StatPearls: Salter-Harris Fracture (Levine RH).
- StatPearls: Pediatric Physeal Injuries Overview (Meyers AL et al.).
Implemented from the cited published sources. Educational use only; confirm against current guidelines before clinical use.
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