Podcast 506: Seymour Fracture

Contributor:  Don Stader, MD Educational Pearls: Seymour fracture is an eponym for a Salter-Harris I/II fracture of the distal phalanx of the finger or toe in children, associated with a nailbed inury These may present and subtle as a subungal hematoma with a fracture on x-ray but carry a significant risk of complications While in adults a hammer-finger deformity indicates an avulsion injury of the extensor tendon, in children it can indicate disruption of the growth plate. This is coupled with disruption of the proximal nail bed.  Because these fractures affect the growth plate, they can lead to arrest of the growth plate or chronic osteomyelitis These injuries require orthopedic consultation for possible debridement and fixation Summarized by Will Dewispelaere, MS4 | Edited by Erik Verzemnieks, MD