How can you tell the difference between a Colles fracture and a Smith?

If you’re diagnosed with a Colles fracture, the broken piece of your wrist bone (radius) points backward. Smith fractures are the opposite: The broken end of your bone points forward.

How does a Colles fracture differ from other fractures?

A distal radius break is when the bone breaks about 1 inch from the wrist on the thumb side. A Colles fracture is a type of distal radius break and occurs when the broken piece of bone points upwards.

How would you describe a Smiths fracture?

A Smith fracture is a break to the end of the radius. The end part of the bone, which forms part of the wrist joint, is displaced or angled in the direction of the palm of the hand. Often, this injury occurs by a fall to the back of a flexed wrist but can occur in any fall to an outstretched hand.

Which type of fracture are Colles and Smith fracture?

Smith’s Fracture is a fracture of the distal end of the radius caused by a fall on the back of the hand (flexed), resulting in a volar displacement of the fractured fragment. It is also known as a reverse Colles fracture.

How would you describe a Colles fracture?

A Colles fracture is a type of broken wrist (fracture). It’s also called a distal (away from the center of the body) fracture with dorsal angulation (an upward angle). A Colles fracture is a very painful and serious injury. Go to your nearest emergency department if you suspect you have any type of wrist fracture.

How do you examine a Colles fracture?

Colles’ fracture diagnosis Your doctor may be able to tell that you’ve fractured your wrist based on a physical exam. With these types of fractures, the wrist may bend in an awkward way or look abnormal. Often, your doctor will order an x-ray to confirm the condition, location, and severity of the break.

What is a Colles fracture?

A Colles fracture is a break in the radius close to the wrist. It was named for the surgeon who first described it. Typically, the break is located about an inch (2.5 centimeters) below where the bone joins the wrist. A Colles fracture is a common fracture that happens more often in women than men.

Is a Colles fracture the same as a distal radius fracture?

One of the most common distal radius fractures is a Colles fracture, in which the broken fragment of the radius tilts upward. This fracture was first described in 1814 by an Irish surgeon and anatomist, Abraham Colles — hence the name Colles fracture.

What is another name for Colles fracture?

A Colles’ wrist fracture occurs when the radius bone in your forearm breaks. It’s also known as a distal radius fracture, transverse wrist fracture, or a dinner-fork deformity of the wrist. It’s named after Abraham Colles, who wrote a paper on this type of fracture in 1814.

What is Lafontaine criteria?

Accordingly, Lafontaine considered a distal radius fracture unstable if three or more of the following factors were present: dorsal angulation exceeding 20°; dorsal comminution; intra-articular radiocarpal fracture; associated ulnar fracture; and age over 60 years.

What is a Colles wrist fracture?

How do you diagnose a Colles fracture?

Is a Colles fracture intraarticular?

A Colles fracture occurs when the broken end of the radius tilts upward. Other ways the distal radius can break include: Intra-articular fracture — An intra-articular fracture is one that extends into the wrist joint. (“Articular” means “joint.”)

What is Colles fracture?

How would you describe Colles fracture?