title: Salter Harris Fractures of the Distal Femur: Learning Points From Two Cases Compared.
abstract: Salter Harris-type injuries of the distal femur should be treated as a dislocation of the knee and therefore as a medical emergency. Senior medical staff should be involved early, ankle-brachial index ratio should be measured in all patients and the clinician should have a high index of suspicion for a vascular injury. Ideally reduction, stabilization, and vascular repair, if necessary, should be carried out within 6 hours of the initial event. There should be a low threshold for fasciotomies. These 2 cases demonstrate the importance of having a high index of suspicion for vascular injury and the need for continued reassessment.
authors.affiliation: Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital, Foresterhill, Scotland.
authors.forename: Sean M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: McKenna
authors.affiliation: Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital, Foresterhill, Scotland.
authors.forename: Steven W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.affiliation: Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital, Foresterhill, Scotland.
authors.forename: Simon L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Barker
keywords: Salter Harris distal femoral fracture; knee dislocation; vascular injury