[Experimental study of injuries to growth cartilage (Salter type V)]

The Salter and Harris classification concerning the epiphyseal cartilage traumas is gradually showing its limits. The type V according to Salter, the prognosis of which being severe, should be due to the traumatic compression of the growth cartilage. But no experimental research could up to this time demonstrate this fact. Among 24 rabbits seen during growth, we tried to create a type V on the distal end of the femur. But, even when the impacts had been very strong, we never could create a single V-type injury. During discussion, and in order to give an explanation of late epiphysiodesis, one could call up the role of the periosteum, of the pre-cartilaginous collar, of the metaphyseal lack of blood vessels. This role should be important in forming a so-called "V-type".