anyone ever hear of a salter harris fracture?
 

My Yorkie fell about 3 feet and broke his rear leg. Any advice on how to find a competant surgeon to help mend a salter harris fracture?

Sorry to hear this
 

I've never heard of that and my curiosity will have me look it up for future reference. My Kodak jumped off the bed last year and sprained his back leg. They gave him some meds and after a week he was ok. There is another thread from earlier where another little yorkie hurt his leg. I can't remember the title, you may have to search it. Good luck!

My husband was a radiologist - and I, myself, worked in radiology for more than 30 years. Yes - I have heard of a Salter Harris fracture.

I remember typing Salter type I through Salter type V fractures a million times on x-ray reports.

I have seen a lot of these fractures on films - but, probably won't be too good at describing them.

First I think the Salter type I - Salter type II --- etc. designates which part of the bone is fractured - it describes the type of fracture and where it's at.

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Here goes - in our body, we have what are called long bones - in our arms and in our legs.

Of course, a little child is short and so these bones aren't very long -- but as we age - these "long bones" grow (they become longer and we become taller).

Our actual growth takes place at the end of these bones -

Basically, a Salter fracture is when the growth areas (the ends) of these bones is fractured.

Children often have fractures in these areas - these are common fractures

**** You need to be a little extra careful with these fractures with children and young dogs - because they get their growth from these areas. And if they don't mend well - there can be some stunted or disfigured growth (one leg shorter than the other, for instance).

I think these fractures should be taken care of quickly - because young children and pups heal quickly (on their own - and you want these fractures stabilized and aligned before they start healing).

*** I am sure a lot of vets (who work with broken bones) have had a lot of experience with these types of fractures. I certainly would think that your vet can either take care of this - or he will refer you to someone who can.

Hope this helps a little.....

Carol Jean