Thurston-Holland sign is associated with which Salter-Harris fracture type?

Thurston-Holland sign is associated with which Salter-Harris fracture type?

• A. Salter-Harris type I fracture
• B. Salter-Harris type II fracture
• C. Salter-Harris type III fracture
• D. Salter-Harris type IV fracture

Answer: (B)

The sign points to a fracture that runs through the growth plate and into the metaphysis, leaving the epiphysis intact. In Salter-Harris type II injuries, the fracture line traverses the physis and metaphysis, creating a small metaphyseal fragment adjacent to the physis. This metaphyseal fragment is the Thurston-Holland sign seen on X-ray. Other fracture types either involve only the physis, or include the epiphysis (and sometimes both metaphysis and epiphysis), but they do not produce this characteristic metaphyseal fleck. Therefore, the Thurston-Holland sign is associated with a Salter-Harris type II fracture.

The sign points to a fracture that runs through the growth plate and into the metaphysis, leaving the epiphysis intact. In Salter-Harris type II injuries, the fracture line traverses the physis and metaphysis, creating a small metaphyseal fragment adjacent to the physis. This metaphyseal fragment is the Thurston-Holland sign seen on X-ray. Other fracture types either involve only the physis, or include the epiphysis (and sometimes both metaphysis and epiphysis), but they do not produce this characteristic metaphyseal fleck. Therefore, the Thurston-Holland sign is associated with a Salter-Harris type II fracture.