The fracture-separation of the distal humeral epiphysis is considered to be a rare injury. It presents problems in diagnosis, radiologic interpretation and management. It is frequently misdiagnosed as a dislocation of the elbow or a fracture of the lateral humeral condyle because the cartilagenous distal portion of the humerus in the children is not visible on roentgenograms.

A knowledge of when the ossification centers appear about the elbow is absolutely necessary in the diagnosis of the elbow injury.

We experienced 1 case, a 22 month-old girl with Salter-Harris type I[ injury of the distal humeral epiphysis.