Journal of Musculoskeletal Trauma

Case Report

Salter-Harris Type IV Physeal Fracture of the Distal Radius: A Case Report: Young Soo Byun, Hong Tae Kim, Kyoung Hoon Hyun, Jun Mo Nam, Young Ho Cho; J Korean Soc Fract 2001;14(4):739-744. Published online October 31, 2001; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12671/jksf.2001.14.4.739

Abstract PDF: Physeal fractures in children are the most common in the distal radius. In the distal radius Salter-Harris type II physeal fractures occur predominantly, while type IV physeal fractures are quite rare. For type IV physeal fractures, open reduction and internal fixation are usually indicated to align both the physis and the articular surface. Growth arrest can be developed by premature physeal closure depending on multiple factors, particularly the severity of trauma. We treated a type IV physeal fracture of the distal radius with open reduction and internal fixation in an 11-year-old boy, but growth arrest with gross deformity and painful motion limitation of the wrist occurred. The deformity in external appearance was nearly corrected and symptoms were improved by surgical shortening of the ulna 3 years after injury, and the final result was satisfactory.

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