Irreducible fracture of the wrist in a child. Entrapment of the extensor tendons.

A previously undescribed fracture-separation of the distal radial and ulnar physis is presented. A Salter-Harris Type II phys-metaphyseal fracture of both radius and ulna, with volar displacement, was found irreducible by closed means. At operation the extensor tendons were found entrapped between the metaphysis and epiphysis of both radius and ulna, which prevented reduction. Reduction was possible only after this entrapment was released.