Signalment & History
A 6 month old male intact German Shepherd Dog presents for acute lameness of the right pelvic limb after jumping out of the owner’s vehicle.
Findings
- A well-defined, sharply marginated fracture line is seen extending from the caudal distal femoral metaphyseal cortex to the level of the distal femoral physis. There is a mild caudoproximal displacement of the distal femoral fragment.
- The soft tissues surrounding the fracture site are moderately thickened. There is a mild to moderate increase in soft tissue opacity noted within the stifle joint.
- Multiple open physes are identified, consistent with the age of the patient.
Diagnosis
- Acute, right distal femoral Salter-Harris type II fracture with associated regional hemorrhage and/or edema and mild to moderate joint effusion.
Conclusions
Salter-Harris Fractures
- The cartilaginous growth plate (physis) is responsible for increases in bone length during growth
- The physis is the weakest part of the bone while open and is predisposed to fracture
- A fracture of the physis is named based on the Salter-Harris classification scheme
- Prognosis worsens as classification grade increases
