Remodeling of Salter-Harris type II epiphyseal plate injury of the distal radius.

The authors studied the relation between residual angulation at the time of healing and final orientation of the distal radius as well as the clinical outcome in patients after Salter-Harris type II epiphyseal plate injury of the distal radius. Eighty-five patients were reviewed with a median follow-up of 8.5 years. Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs were taken at follow-up. The mobility of both wrists and forearms was examined, together with grip strength. Pain with activities and sports was evaluated. At follow-up, 73 patients (86%) were anatomically normal on radiographs; the remaining 12 patients had an incomplete remodeling of the volar and/or radial inclination of the distal radius. Premature closure of the growth plate in the distal radius or ulna did not occur in any of these children. Complete remodeling was seen in children aged up to 10 years in all but one patient. Remodeling after Salter-Harris type II epiphyseal plate injury occurs in all age groups, but the potential is greater in children up to 10 years of age. The incomplete remodeling does not seem to have any substantial long-term negative effect on mobility of the wrist and grip strength.