Symptoms
A Colles fracture is very specific type of injury, where the head of the radius is shorn away from the haft of the bone, and so if you suffered on, the amount of pain, swelling, and bone displacement would be apparent upon even a cursory visual inspection of the injured area. Is there a special splint for Colles fractures?
Causes
Once the swelling has gone down the orthopedic physician will put on a hard cast. For the first few days after your Colles’ fracture you should keep it elevated above the level of your heart to help ease the pain and swelling. You should also apply an ice pack for the first couple of days every 3-4 hours for 20-30 minutes.
Prevention
Mechanism of Injury. In a Colles fracture, the radius may be shortened, reversing this relationship. The ulnar styloid process may be avulsed, or broken off, as well which results from the force through an intact triangular fibrocartilage complex. A distal radial fracture with palmar displacement can also occur.
Complications
In older adults, Colles and other fractures can be sequelae of osteoporosis, an acquired condition caused by thinning of the bony trabeculae. This leads to reduced bone mass and increased fragility of the bone, increasing its susceptibility to fractures. Osteoporosis can be primary or secondary.
What do you need to know about a Colles fracture?
What to do after a Colles fracture?
What is the mechanism of injury in a Colles fracture?
What causes Colles fractures in older adults?
What causes Colles?
A Colles fracture usually happens when someone falls on to an outstretched arm. It can also occur as a result of trauma, such as occurs in a car, bike, or skiing accident. The age of the person can affect whether or not a Colles fracture occurs.
Which of the following is the most common cause of Colles fracture?
The Colles fracture is most commonly caused by a fall, landing on an outstretched hand with the wrist in dorsiflexion.
How do you diagnose a Colles fracture?
A physical exam by a doctor is necessary for an accurate fracture diagnosis. One or more sets of x-rays may be required to assess the severity of the breakage. There is also a small possibility that blood flow and nerves could be adversely affected by the fracture.
What causes wrist fracture?
Falls. Falling onto an outstretched hand is one of the most common causes of a broken wrist. Sports injuries. Many wrist fractures occur during contact sports or sports in which you might fall onto an outstretched hand — such as in-line skating or snowboarding.
What is the most common complication of Colles fracture?
What are the complications of a Colles fracture? Wrist stiffness is the most common complication.
Do you need a cast for a Colles fracture?
If you have a small fracture and the bone pieces do not move out of place, you will likely wear a splint for 3 to 5 weeks. Some breaks may require you to wear a cast for about 6 to 8 weeks. You may need a second cast if the first one gets too loose as the swelling goes down.
Where is pain in Colles fracture?
When you have a Colles' wrist fracture, the distal end breaks, which can cause your wrist to bend in an abnormal way. This injury is very painful. You might not be able to hold or grip anything, and your wrist will be swollen. You might also have bruising in this area.
Where does a Colles fracture occur?
Technically, it's a break in the larger of the two bones in your forearm. The bone breaks on the lower end, close to where it connects to the bones of the hand on the thumb side of the wrist. Colles' fractures are very common; they're the most frequently broken bone in the arm.
Which muscles are affected in Colles fracture?
A Colles' fracture is a type of fracture of the distal forearm in which the broken end of the radius is bent backwards. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, deformity, and bruising. Complications may include damage to the median nerve.
What causes a Colles fracture?
Colles' fracture causes Colles' fractures most often occur with a fall onto an outstretched hand. The fall sends force through the bones and displaces the distal radius toward the back of the hand or forearm. Doctors can treat most Colles' fractures with casting or splinting.
Which wrist fracture is the most serious?
If you experience severe pain, have an open fracture (where the bone breaks the skin), if the wrist area is deformed or numb, or if the fingers are no longer pink, you should seek immediate medical treatment.
How long does it take for a Colles fracture to heal?
A Colles’ wrist fracture can take a year or more to fully heal. Your cast will typically be removed about six weeks after surgery in a child, but relatively soon after surgery in an adult to mobilize the joint. You should be able to do light activities about a month or two after your cast is removed.
What is a Colles wrist 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. Your radius is the larger of the two main bones in your forearm.
What are the risks of distal radius fracture?
You’re more at risk of having a distal radius fracture if you: have osteoporosis, a disease that weakens your bones. are elderly. have low muscle mass or poor muscle strength, or lack agility and have poor balance (these conditions make you more likely to fall)
How long does it take for a wrist to feel stiff after a cast?
Your wrist will probably feel stiff for about a month or two after the cast is off. You might continue to have a dull ache or stiffness for about two years. Some people develop carpal tunnel syndrome after having a Colles’ wrist fracture. If you’re older, you might not be able to fully move your wrist.
What is an intra articular fracture?
comminuted fracture: if the bone broke into more than two pieces. intra-articular fracture: if the bone broke into your wrist joint. extra-articular fracture: if your joint isn’t affected.
How to help a swollen wrist?
The most important treatment initially is immobilizing your wrist in a splint. You can simply use a magazine wrapped around your wrist to help support it. Elevate your wrist above the level of your heart to prevent further swelling. Putting an ice pack on the injury also helps reduce swelling.
How to prevent a fractured bone?
Exercise. Exercise helps strengthen your bones and muscles, which makes you less likely to fall and fracture a bone. Weight-bearing exercises such as jogging strengthen the bones and muscles in the lower half of your body.
What is a Colles fracture?
Colles fracture describes a broken wrist. It is characterized by the bone pointing upwards, and being around 1 inch from the thumb. Image credit: Ashish j29, 2010 October. Colles fractures are extremely common. In the United States, a Colles fracture is the term used for all distal radius fractures.
What is the best way to fix a Colles fracture?
To ensure the Colles fracture heals properly, an external fixator may be used to keep the bone in place .
What is the most common bone fracture in the arm?
The radius is the most commonly broken bone in the arm. 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. It was first described by the Irish surgeon and anatomist Abraham Colles in 1814 ...
How does age affect Colles fracture?
The age of the person can affect whether or not a Colles fracture occurs. For example, high-intensity breaks caused by trauma are more common in 18 to 25 year-olds than older adults. On the other hand, breaks caused by tripping or falling occur in older adults, as their bones can be more brittle.
How much pain is experienced with a Colles fracture?
How much pain is experienced with a Colles fractures varies greatly and is hard to predict.
When do Colles fractures occur?
Cases of Colles fractures in people aged over 60 tend to happen when they have fallen from a standing position.
How to treat swelling on wrist?
Putting an ice pack on the wrist and keeping it elevated is recommended until a doctor can examine it. Rings should be removed from the fingers before swelling develops.
What causes a Colles fracture?
Colles fractures can also be caused by direct trauma. There is a bimodal peak of incidence of Colles fracture.
What is the best way to diagnose a Colles fracture?
Physical examination assesses the soft tissues surrounding the joint and determines if the surrounding nerves and blood vessels have been injured. X rays and/or CT scan will confirm the presence and classification of the fracture.
What is a distal radius fracture?
When the distal radius is broken into many small pieces of bone as in a crush injury, it is deemed a comminuted fracture. Distal radius fractures can also pierce the skin resulting in an open fracture.
What is the device used to pin a fracture?
The pins are removed after the fracture has healed. In external fixation, a device known as an external fixator is used to pin the bones in place and hold them steady.
Where to place a plate for a Colles fracture?
The plates may be placed on the front or volar side of the wrist or the back or dorsal side of the wrist. This depends largely on the surgeon preference and the type of fracture.
How long does it take for a fracture to be cast?
This is followed by a plaster cast for 6 weeks during which time x rays are taken periodically to ensure the bone remains aligned.
What is the dorsal approach to a fracture?
When there is associated ligament damage or the fracture involves several displaced fractures within the joint, the dorsal approach will allow for better visualization of the articulation of the joint surface. Occasionally the plate may lead to adhesions requiring a second short procedure to remove it.
What is a Colles fracture?
The clinical presentation of Colles fracture is frequently described as a dinner fork deformity - distal fracture of the radius causes posterior displacement of the distal fragment, causing the forearm to be angled posteriorly just proximal to the wrist. With the hand displaying its normal forward arch, the patient’s forearm and hand resemble the curvature of a dinner fork.
How many types of Colles fractures are there?
Gosta Frykman identified many different forms of Colles fracture and classified it into eight different types based on the extra- or intra-articular nature of fractures involving the distal ends of the radius and ulna.
How long after Colles fracture to check radiographs?
If redisplacement of the Colles fracture is seen a few cases week after reduction, it's important to take and check radiographs a week-10 days after injury. Possible complications include: Few very rare complications are carpal tunnel syndrome, Sudeck's atrophy and ulnar and radial compression neuropathy.
What is the position of the wrist when you break a colles fracture?
In this position, the wrist is usually at 40-90° in dorsiflexion. The pressure from the fall over-extends the hand and breaks the radius just above the wrist. When this occurs, the distal part of the bone tends to become dorsally displaced. It is also frequently comminuted, meaning it is broken into multiple pieces.
What is the best treatment for displaced intraarticular fractures?
A splint or cast is required to hold the forearm in a stable and in immobilised position. In case of displaced intra-articular fractures with palmar dislocation, open reduction and internal fixation are sometimes required. Physiotherapy is advised after fracture healing for better strengthening of muscles and range of movements.
Why does the radius of a fractured bone tend to refuse to fracture?
Due to the abundant circulation in that region, the fractured parts of the radius tend to refuse well. If this fracture occurs in children, however, the fracture line may extend through the distal epiphyseal plate, potentially leading to misalignment of the plate with the radius.
Can Colles be a bone fracture?
In older adults, Colles and other fractures can be sequelae of osteoporosis, an acquired condition caused by thinning of the bony trabeculae. This leads to reduced bone mass and increased fragility of the bone, increasing its susceptibility to fractures.
What is a Colles fracture?
Colles Fracture of the Wrist. A Colles fracture is a particular type of broken wrist which involves a break of the radius or forearm bone on the thumb side of the wrist. Deformity, severe pain and swelling would indicate this type of fracture, which is most often caused by a fall. Medical help is needed immediately to repair this wrist injury.
How long does it take for a Colles fracture to heal?
A straightforward fracture with no displacement will simply require casting to immobilise the bones until they are healed. This is usually around 6 weeks.
How far away from the wrist is a Colles fracture?
To be diagnosed as a Colles fracture the break in the bone has to be a transverse fracture within 1 inch of the wrist joint, with a fractured fragment of bone being displaced upwards.
What is it called when a bone fragment is broken into more than one piece?
Sometimes the bone fragment may be broken into more than one piece, known as a comminuted fracture.
What to do if you have a fractured wrist?
Treatment. If you suspect a wrist fracture then seek urgent medical attention immediately. An X-ray should be taken to determine the extent of the fracture and displacement of the bone fragment. A full examination will help to rule out any other associated injuries.
How to tell if you have a dinner fork fracture?
Symptoms. Symptoms include instant pain in the wrist with rapid swelling. The wrist may look deformed – known as a dinner fork deformity. The patient will have considerable pain when trying to move the wrist. In very severe wrist fractures one end of the bone may pierce the skin which is known as an open fracture.
How to get strength back after cast?
Once the cast is removed, physical therapy should be undertaken to regain full movement and strength in the wrist. This will involve mobility exercises and exercises to strengthen the wrist such as using hand putty.
What is a Colles fracture?
A Colles fracture, more commonly known as a broken wrist, occurs when the forearm’s radius bone breaks. This breakage can also be referred to as a distal radius fracture or a transverse wrist fracture. The radius is the largest bone in the forearm with the distal portion located near the end of the wrist.
What is needed for a fracture diagnosis?
A physical exam by a doctor is necessary for an accurate fracture diagnosis. One or more sets of x-rays may be required to assess the severity of the breakage. There is also a small possibility that blood flow and nerves could be adversely affected by the fracture.
How long does it take for a fractured wrist to heal?
Colles Fracture Recovery. Recovery time can vary according to the individual. Though a Colles fracture can take up to a year to heal properly, light activities can resume a month or so after cast removal. A feeling of stiffness in the wrist may persist for a time after healing is complete.
Should readers with musculoskeletal conditions seek the advice of their healthcare professionals without delay for any condition they have?
Readers with musculoskeletal conditions should seek the advice of their healthcare professionals without delay for any condition they have. The use of the information is at the reader’s own risk. The content is not intended to replace diagnosis, treatment or medical advice from your treating healthcare professional.
Can a wrist fracture happen from a fall?
Gripping or holding objects is often difficult. Colles fractures can happen from falls or hits to the wrist. Those who engage in contact sports are at a higher risk of injury as are bicyclists, skiers and in-line skaters.
What Is Colles’ Fracture?
This is a specific type of broken wrist in which there is a break at the lower part of your radius bone close to your wrist. The radius bone is the lateral bone of your forearm that is located between your hand and elbow. This bone is always aligned with your thumb. When you talk about the lateral bone, it is the bone that is on the side of your body that is the farthest away from the mid-line of your body when your body is standing and facing forward, and your hands are also facing forward.
How long should you keep ice pack after Colles fracture?
You should also apply an ice pack for the first couple of days every 3-4 hours for 20-30 minutes. You should wrap the ice pack so your splint or cast does not get wet.
How to fix broken wrist bone?
Depending on how severe the break is, the physician may decide to put your hand in either a hard plaster cast or in a soft splint to keep the wrist immobilized . If the bone has to be set it can be quite painful, so it is usually done by using anesthesia so you will not feel anything. If the area is swollen you may have to wear a splint for a few days, up to seven days, while you are waiting for the swelling to go down. Once the swelling has gone down the orthopedic physician will put on a hard cast.
What are the different types of fractures?
Most Colles’ fractures can be put into four different categories, which are: 1 Intra-articular - This is the type of fracture that will extend into your wrist joint. 2 Extra-articular - This is when the fracture does not extend into your wrist joint 3 Comminuted articular - This is where the fracture results in more than two pieces of bone. 4 Open fracture - This is a fracture that pierces your skin.
How to treat a wrist injury?
Immediately after the injury, you should immobilize the wrist by either splinting or wrapping it until you can get to the emergency room to have it taken care of. You should also make sure to keep the joint elevated. To help ease the swelling and pain, keep an ice pack on it.
What to do if you break a bone in your leg?
Surgery. Your orthopedic physician may suggest that you have surgery if the bone does not heal with just being put in a cast. If the break is severe you may have to have pins, plates, screws, or other devices in order to clamp the broken bone in place. This is done to make sure that the break heals properly.
How to tell if your wrist is broken?
Tenderness in the wrist. Wrist becomes very weak, and it becomes impossible to lift or grasp anything. In a severe break you will be able to see a bump above your wrist where the joint splits from the radius.
What is a Colles' Fracture?
There are many ways that humans can injure their bodies. Cuts and scrapes are fairly common occurrences for many of us. We get bumped and bruised, and perhaps suffer the occasional burn. But one of the most unfortunate injuries is a broken bone. One wrong step, a slip and a fall, and a bone can snap or crack in the blink of an eye.
Examples of Colles' Fractures
When you see someone with their arm in a cast, you can pretty accurately assume that they have broken their arm. However, the term ''broken arm'' is almost as much a generalization as stating that someone is ''sick.'' Just as there are many different types of illness, there are also many variations of the broken arm.
Treatment for Colles' Fractures
Any potentially broken bone must be diagnosed by a physician. The first step is an X-ray to determine the exact nature of the break. If the bone is out of place, it must be set back into place, a process known as reduction. When the bone is realigned, it can be put into a splint to allow for normal amounts of swelling.
What is a Colles fracture?
Painful, debilitating, and with no quick fix, a broken wrist can prove very problematic. A Colles fracture is the name of an upward break in the large wrist bone. Typically caused by a fall or impact to the hand, they can be received by anyone at any level of fitness.
How to recover from a Colles fracture?
Making a full recovery from a Colles fracture involves more than simply healing the damaged bone in the wrist. The muscles and ligaments surrounding the injured bone will lose strength over time through inactivity. Once the bone has fused, exercise is then needed to return to full health. This includes more than just the tissue directly in contact with your wrist.
How do Colles fractures heal?
Around 90% of all Colles fractures are healed conservatively. This means they are allowed to recover naturally without any surgical procedures being undertaken. While surgery is seldom required, the fractured bone often needs to be re-aligned by a doctor. This is done by a manual process known as traction.
How to treat a wrist break?
The first action for any wrist break is to stabilize the joint then take measures to decrease the swelling. A splint and a sling are generally used to prevent movement and elevate the injury. By keeping the injured area above the height of the heart, will naturally alleviate the swelling.
How to fuse a broken bone back together?
Under anesthetic, the bone is maneuvered back into its correct position by carefully pushing and pulling it. This is best done soon after the break happens and allows the fracture to correctly fuse back together.
Where do most sports related fractures occur?
However, three-quarters of all sports-related fractures occur in the upper limbs and the wrist is one of the most common. Whether a high-performance athlete or not, anyone with a broken wrist will want to make a quick and full recovery.