This article describes two physeal fractures not previously classified
. The first is a fracture completely across the metaphysis with extens
ion to the physis. There is usually no extension of the fracture along
the physis, as is seen with the Salter-Harris type II fractures. It i
s a common fracture, occurring in 15.5% of the Olmsted County study. T
he second previous unclassified fracture is one in which a portion of
the physis is missing. This is always an open fracture, and, thus, alw
ays requires initial surgery. It almost always develops premature phys
eal closure and almost always requires late reconstructive surgery.