The Relative Incidence of Fractures at the Base of the Proximal Phalanx of the Fingers in Children

Abstract

There is debate regarding the most common fracture type at the base of the proximal phalanx of the fingers in children prior to closure of the epiphysis. In total, 100 consecutive children presenting with 103 fractures were included in a prospective study and their X-rays were reviewed by a consultant musculoskeletal radiologist. The study included 61 boys and 39 girls with a mean age of 10 (range 4–14) years. The most common fracture observed was the juxta-epiphyseal type II fracture (53%), followed by the Salter–Harris type II fracture (26%). Other fractures observed included Salter–Harris type I (4%), Salter–Harris type IV (5%), juxta-epiphyseal type I (8%), transverse metaphyseal (2%) and oblique metaphyseal (2%).