[Lesions of the epiphyses - classification - therapy - prognosis (author's transl)].

Between 1970 and 1980 53 children with epiphyseal injuries were treated. Analysing these 53 cases we found that metaphyseal lesions of the epiphyseal plate (i.e. epiphyseolysis, separation of the epiphysis with triangular metaphyseal fragment) heal completely, even in those cases in whom an open reduction was necessary. Conservatively treated epiphyseal injuries (i.e. fracture of the epiphysis, crushing of the epiphyseal plate) showed bad results. Contrary to these results 80% of open reduced injuries showed good results. We can conclude that epiphyseal injuries do not necessarily end in disturbances of growth or malformation if surgical correction of the injury is done as early as possible and if the injured extremity is immobilised at least 3 to 5 weeks. Destruction of the epiphyseal vascular system can only be avoided by surgical reposition of the epiphyseal injury.