[Trauma of the hallux in an 11-year-old boy].

Abstract

An 11-year-old boy presented with an injury of the left foot. Initial X-rays indicated a Salter-Harris type 4 fracture of the proximal phalanx of the hallux, prompting consideration of surgery. However, further evaluation at the indications conference to discuss the scheduled surgical cases and a subsequent MRI revealed a physiological epiphyseal cleft leading to conservative treatment and the avoidance of surgery.