A Completely Displaced Salter-Harris I Fracture of the Distal Radial Epiphysis with Intact Ulna: a Case Report and Review of the Literature

We present a 12-year-old boy with a displaced fracture of the distal radial epiphysis type I according to the Salter-Harris classification. The distal radial epiphysis was completely dorsally displaced, while the distal ulna remained intact. The injury was result of a fall on the patient’s outstretched hand. Closed reduction was applied and the forearm was immobilized with a long arm cast.

In the radiological re-examination a week later, a complete re-displacement of the fracture was detected. Open reduction followed and interposed flexor tendons (flexor pollicis longus and flexor carpi radialis) were found in the anatomical position of the distal radial epiphysis. The displaced epiphysis was reduced and fixed with two Kirschner wires and a long arm cast for a period of 6 weeks.

The follow-up examination 2 years later showed that the movement range of the wrist joint was not limited and skeletal growth of the radius was not disturbed.

The failure of closed reduction in these fractures is due to anatomical obstacles such as periosteum, flexor tendons and pronator quadratus interposition. Repeated forceful manipulations to achieve closed reduction must be avoided because of the potential for a number of complications, such as growth arrest, compartment syndrome, and avascular necrosis of the epiphysis.