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MSK

Salter-Harris Fractures

The pneumonic "SALTR" (Same, Above, beLow, Through, cRush) only works if the epiphysis is at the bottom of your radiograph. To make it easier for you, we've provided two versions of this diagram, depending on whether the epiphysis is at the bottom or the top of your radiograph.

Salter-Harris fractures are pediatric fractures that involve the growth plate. They might also involve the metaphysis and the epiphysis. There are five categories of Salter-Harris fractures that specify which parts of the bone are fractured.

The pneumonic "SALTR" (Same, Above, beLow, Through, cRush) is used to remember the categories of Salter-Harris fracture, numbered in Roman numerals as I, II, III, IV, and V. Unfortunately, this acronym only makes intuitive sense if the epiphysis is at the bottom of your radiograph.

Usually, people only post one version of the diagram - the version that corresponds to the SALTR pneumonic, where the epiphysis is at the bottom of the diagram. To make it easier for you, we've provided two versions of the Salter-Harris classification diagram, depending on whether the epiphysis is at the bottom or the top of your radiograph.

If the epiphysis is at the bottom of your radiograph, use this version.

Blue - physis (a.k.a. growth plate). Red - fracture. Same = fracture slices through the physis. Above = fracture involves the metaphysis and physis. Below = fracture involves the physis and epiphysis. Through = fracture involves the metaphysis, physis, and epiphysis. Crush = the physis is crushed, but not sliced through like Type 1.

If the epiphysis is at the top of your radiograph, use this version:

Blue - physis (a.k.a. growth plate). Red - fracture. Same = fracture slices through the physis. Above = fracture involves the metaphysis and physis. Below = fracture involves the physis and epiphysis. Through = fracture involves the metaphysis, physis, and epiphysis. Crush = the physis is crushed, but not sliced through like Type 1.