Question

7 year-old male "jammed" 5th finger while playing basketball with pain and swelling over finger. What's the diagnosis?

Answer

Salter-Harris fracture (type II): 

Salter-Harris Fracture (remember mnemonic SALTR)

• Slipped (i.e., through growth plate and not involving bone) / Type I
• Above growth plate (i.e., through metaphysis) / Type II (most common)
• Lower growth plate (i.e., through epiphysis) / Type III
• Through (i.e., through metaphysis growth plate and epiphysis) / Type IV
• Rammed (i.e., Crush injury) / Type V (worst prognosis)

For more on Salter-Harris fractures, check out this and that

References

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