Fracture of the distal radial physis complicated by compartment syndrome and premature physeal closure.

Complications after injury to the epiphyseal growth plate of the distal radius are uncommon. An 11-year-8-month-old boy developed two complications--compartment syndrome of the forearm and premature closure of the physis--after a Salter-Harris Type I injury. Treatment included closed reduction, decompression, skin grafting, excision of the physeal bar, and epiphysiodesis of the distal ulna and the remaining open physis of the distal radius.