Physeal injuries

Abstract

Physeal injuries constitute one third of all long bone fractures in the pediatric age group. This text focuses on different aspects of physeal injury, including mechanism of injury, types of currently available classifications, the evaluation of the patient, and the goals of treatment. It gives detailed information on the treatment of specific subtypes of physeal fractures according to Salter-Harris and Peterson classifications. Two of the most commonly encountered physeal fractures in adolescence, distal tibial anterior tubercle fractures or the so-called juvenile Tillaux fractures and triplane fractures, are discussed separately. The prognosis of physeal injuries and complications is explained. Physeal injuries do not have to be fractures. They also include many other mechanisms that damage the physis. Related examples are given. One of the most feared complications of physeal injuries is physeal arrest. The description of physeal arrest and the alternatives for its treatment are discussed. This text is a concise review of physeal injuries.