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#Colles fracture vs smith fracture x ray manual
#Colles fracture vs smith fracture x ray skin

If the fracture is not displaced and pain is minimal, a simple splint may be used to immobilize the area. The goal is to return the wrist to its prior level of functioning. As Colles fractures are so common, many methods of treatment have been developed to stabilize the fractures and allow the bone to heal. Treatment of Colles fractures depend on the type of Colles fracture present, the age and activity level of the patient, the surgeon’s preference in treatment method, and the patient’ s desires regarding immobilization and return to activity. X rays and/or CT scan will confirm the presence and classification of the fracture. Physical examination assesses the soft tissues surrounding the joint and determines if the surrounding nerves and blood vessels have been injured. Pain, swelling, bruising, and deformity are common symptoms of a Colles Fracture, depending on the type of fracture and its characteristics.Ī careful history including the mechanism of injury establishes suspicion for a Colles fracture.

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What are the symptoms of a Colles Fracture? High energy falls, such as from a motorcycle, occur in the 18-25 age group, and low intensity falls, such as from tripping and falling occur in senior citizens with brittle bones. There is a bimodal peak of incidence of Colles fracture. For example, in a true Colles fracture, the fall occurs in the forward direction with the wrist extended to break the fall, and in the rarer Smith’s fracture, the fall occurs onto a flexed wrist.Ĭolles fractures can also be caused by direct trauma. The position of the hand is important in determining the type of fracture that results. What are the causes of a Colles Fracture?Īlthough Colles Fractures are a heterogeneous group of injuries, the etiology is usually the same: a fall on an outstretched arm.

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Distal radius fractures can also pierce the skin resulting in an open fracture. When the distal radius is broken into many small pieces of bone as in a crush injury, it is deemed a comminuted fracture. These intra- or extra-articular fractures can either be displaced or alignment can be maintained. A fracture of the distal radius can be intra- or extra-articular, depending on whether the fracture extends into the wrist joint. Smith fractures, Chauffer’s fractures, and Barton’s fractures- other types of distal radius fractures- are also included under the umbrella of distal radius fractures.ĭistal radius fractures are further classified based on certain characteristics. At present time in the United States, and for the purposes of this article, we will refer to all distal radius fractures as Colles Fractures. It is commonly called a “broken wrist” although the distal radius is the location of the fracture, not the carpal bones of the wrist.įractures of the distal radius are extremely common and historically several methods of classification have been proposed. Knight help you with a Colles fracture?Ī true Colles Fracture is a complete fracture of the radius bone of the forearm close to the wrist resulting in an upward (posterior) displacement of the radius and obvious deformity.

3 What are the symptoms of a Colles Fracture?.

2 What are the causes of a Colles Fracture?.

Patient is unable to function at home (e.g.

Risk or concern for compartment syndrome.

Most can be treated with orthopedic follow up within 1 week.

If severe pain with pronation/supination, then sugar tong splint.

Intra-articular displacement or step-off > 2mm.

Operative fixation is recommended for fractures with post-reduction :.

Always target optimal (anatomic) fracture reduction.

For example with a fracture with dorsally angulated fragments, establish axial traction, then slightly bending the dorsal fragment even more dorsally while maintain traction, then reverse pressure to reduce the distal fragment volarly and back out to length, all while maintaining traction.

Continue to maintain axial traction throughout manuver.

$colles fracture vs smith fracture x ray$

Although recreating the injury briefly exaggerates the existing deformity, this maneuver 'unlocks' any periosteal sleeve folded into the fracture site (which can be critical in achieving reduction).Recreate, then reverse, mechanism of injury.

#Colles fracture vs smith fracture x ray manual

Axial traction: Manual or finger traps with hanging weights, if available.Consider even if operative management is expected (to reduce pain and swelling).Most angulated and/or displaced distal radius requires closed reduction and placement of a sugar-tong splint.Neurovascular compromise from fracture requires emergent reduction and/or orthopedic intervention.Open fractures require immediate IV antibiotics and urgent surgical washout.Displaced, intra-articular distal radius fracture.

$colles fracture vs smith fracture x ray$