Smith fractures are often caused by falls on the dorsal side of the wrist or from a hard hit. Symptoms typically include a visibly displaced fragment, pain, swelling, and loss of movement. Diagnosis is based upon a medical evaluation and X-rays.
Full Answer
What are the symptoms of a Smith’s fracture?
Symptoms of a Smith’s fracture include sudden pain in the wrist. There will be tenderness in the area of the fracture with pain and difficulty moving the wrist. The wrist may appear deformed with the hand appearing to be angled downwards.
How do you get a Smith Fracture?
Typically, there are two ways you can develop a smith fracture. The first way is by falling onto your wrist while it’s flexed. The second way is from a direct blow to the back of the wrist.
What are the different types of Smith’s fracture?
Types of Smith’s Fracture 1 Type I. 2 This type is an extra-articular transverse fracture that occurs through the distal radius. 3 It is the most common type accounting for ~85% of Smith’s fracture. 4 Type II. 5 This is an intra-articular oblique type of fracture. 6 ... (more items)
What happens if you don't see a doctor for a Smith Fracture?
If you wait too long to see a doctor, the bones may not heal together correctly. A possible complication of a smith fracture (or any other serious injury to a limb) is something called complex regional pain syndrome. This is a chronic pain condition that affects a limb after an injury. It is thought to be caused by damage to the nervous system.
What causes a Smith's fracture?
A Smith fracture is a specific type of broken wrist. It's caused by falling or experiencing another trauma while your wrist is bent or flexed.
What is a Smiths fracture?
Introduction. A Smith fracture is an eponym for an extraarticular fracture of the distal radius featuring a volar displacement or angulation of the distal fragment. It is also known as a reverse Colles fracture since the more common Colles fracture features a dorsal displacement of the distal fracture fragment.
What are the signs and symptoms of Colles fracture?
Colles' (wrist) fracture symptoms include:Pain when you bend your wrist.Tenderness.Swelling.Bruising.Deformity.
How do you reduce a Smith's fracture?
Treatment of a non-displaced and a stable Smith's fracture is by closed reduction and splint or cast. The reduction is carried out by reversing fracture deformity with longitudinal traction and applying a long arm cast with the forearm in supination and wrist in neutral or a degree of extension.
Does a Smith fracture hurt?
The symptoms of a smith fracture are similar to other types of fractures. There is usually immediate pain, tenderness, bruising, and swelling. Depending on the severity of the fracture, the wrist may hang in an odd or bent way.
How are Smith's fractures different from Colles fractures?
A Smith's fracture is a volar displacement fracture where the fragment of the radius that has broken off projects towards the palm side of the hand, while a Colles fracture results in dorsal displacement, causing the bone fragment to bend towards the back of the hand.
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.
What is the treatment for a Colles fracture?
How are Colles fractures treated? After diagnosis, your healthcare provider should realign and immobilize your broken bones. They'll move (reset) the broken bones back into their natural positions and use a cast, brace or splint to hold them in place.
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 long does it take for a radial wrist fracture to heal?
Most distal radius fractures take 3 months or so to heal before you are able to return to all activities, and full recovery from these injuries can take up to 1 year.
Does a radius fracture need a cast?
Nonsurgical Treatment If the distal radius fracture is in a good position, a splint or cast is applied. It often serves as a final treatment until the bone heals. Usually a cast will remain on for up to six weeks. Then you will be given a removable wrist splint to wear for comfort and support.
What is a Smith’s fracture?
A Smith’s fracture, or reverse Colles’ fracture, is a volar, or forward, displacement fracture of the distal (i.e., away from the body, towards the...
What is the difference between a Smith’s and Colles fracture?
A Smith’s fracture is a volar displacement fracture where the fragment of the radius that has broken off projects towards the palm side of the hand...
What causes a Smith’s fracture?
Most Smith’s fractures are caused by a fall onto an outstretched hand (i.e., a FOOSH). Often the wrist is flexed upon falling or the dorsal sign is...
What are the signs and symptoms of a Smith’s fracture?
Smith’s fractures often appear as a deformity on the distal forearm; however, the direction of displacement may be difficult to assess without the...
How is a Smith’s fracture diagnosed?
Diagnosis of a Smith’s fracture typically begins with a thorough medical examination of the individual, including a history of present illness, med...
How is a Smith’s fracture treated?
Smith’s fractures can be challenging to treat and often require surgery to successfully restore the radial alignment. The most conservative approac...
What are possible complications of a Smith’s fracture?
Smith’s fractures may result in complications. A primary concern is malunion, which is where the bone healed improperly, either with continued vola...
What are the most important facts to know about a Smith’s fracture?
A Smith’s fracture is a fracture of the distal radius where the fractured fragment is displaced ventrally. A Smith’s fracture is the reverse of a C...
What is Smith's fracture?
A Smith’s fracture is a break at the wrist end of the radius bone. It is caused by direct trauma, such as falling onto an outstretched hand.
How to treat a fractured wrist?
Treatment. If a fracture is suspected, seek medical attention. Don’t try to move the wrist, just immobilize it in a sling. An X-ray is required to confirm the fracture. In some cases, it may be possible to reduce (move back into place) the bone fragment manually, without the need for surgery.
Where is the fractured bone displaced?
The fragment of fractured bone is displaced forwards to the palm side of the wrist. If you suspect a Smith’s fracture you should try not to move the injured wrist. Medical help is needed as soon as possible to treat the fracture.
What happens after a cast is removed?
After the cast is removed, a rehabilitation program is required to regain full wrist mobility and strength. This article has been written with reference to the bibliography.
Diagnosis and Tests
A Smith fracture is diagnosed with an X-ray. This tells your healthcare provider which of your bones are broken and which type of fracture you have. All broken wrists require an X-ray.
Management and Treatment
How your Smith fracture is treated depends on the severity of the original break. Your broken bones need to heal back together, and there are several ways to make sure they’re repaired correctly.
Prevention
Breaking your wrist almost always happens accidentally. Because falls are by far the most common cause of wrist fractures, make sure your home and workspace are free from clutter that could trip you or others. Make sure the adults older than 50 in your life practice good fall prevention, too.
Living With
If you think you have a wrist fracture, get help right away. Go to the emergency room if you’ve experienced a trauma and have any of the following symptoms:
What is Smith fracture?
Smith Fracture [1] is also termed as Reverse Colles Fracture. This is caused when there is rupture in the end of radial bone located near wrist. This type of fracture typically occurs after falling down on an outstretched arm and landing on the back side of wrist and hand, which results in breaking of radius bone at its end ...
What type of fracture is Smith's fracture?
Smith fracture can also be classified into three types based on the type of injury sustained. Type 1 – Oblique comminuted fracture usually seen in older women. Type 2 – Barton’s fracture. Type 3 – A more transverse fracture usually seen in young individuals due to severe injury.
How long does it take for a nondisplaced fracture to heal?
Once the problem is diagnosed immediate attention must be given. The area of the fracture gets healed in few weeks.
How long does it take to recover from a Smith fracture?
It takes about ten weeks for complete recovery, which involves period of immobilization for about a month and then splinting for some six weeks. Surgical Treatment[2]: Surgery is needed in majority of cases to treat Smith fracture as the deformity cannot be treated with nonsurgical means.
What is displaced fracture?
Displaced Fracture: This type of fracture is very severe in nature. Displaced fracture generally leads to very serious and dangerous damage to the bone. In this condition the joint of the wrist is often displaced forward creating discomfort for the ball while moving in some angles.
What is Smith's fracture?
Smith's Fracture, also known as a reverse Colles' fracture or Goyrand-Smith's fracture, is a fracture involving the distal forearm. The condition has been named after Robert William Smith (1807-1873) who worked as a surgeon in Dublin, Ireland. The difference between Colles’ fracture and Smith’s fracture is that the former is caused by ...
How many types of Smith's fractures are there?
There are three types of Smith’s fractures: This type is an extra-articular transverse fracture that occurs through the distal radius. It is the most common type accounting for ~85% of Smith’s fracture.
Why does my wrist hurt?
Common causes of wrist pain include wrist arthritis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and bone fracture. READ MORE.
Is Smith's fracture dorsally or ventrally?
Also, in Smith’s fracture, the fractured distal fragment is displaced ventrally while in the case of Colles’ fracture, the fragments are displaced dorsally. Depending on the severity of the fracture there may be more than one fragments and it may or may not include the wrist joint’s articular surface. Smith's fractures are not as common as Colles' ...
What is Smith's 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. The Smith's fracture was named by Irish surgeon Robert William Smith in 1847, however, ...
Who was the first person to name Smith's fracture?
The Smith's fracture was named by Irish surgeon Robert William Smith in 1847, however, this injury was first named for French Physician Jean-Gaspard-Blaise Goyrand (1746-1814) and is commonly known as a Goyrand fracture in French literature .
What causes a fracture in the wrist?
Aetiology. The causes of the fracture: a direct blow to the dorsal aspect of the wrist. Injury resulting from a fall on the palm of the hand, the dorsum or ulno‐dorsum of the hand, or a fisted hand or a direct blow to the back of the wrist causing a volar displacement of the distal radius.
How long does it take to recover from a fracture?
Physiotherapy. Stable fractures are immobilized for 4 to 8 weeks followed by rehabilitation exercises and bracing another 4 to 6 weeks until pain-free ROM and have achieved normal strength. Unstable fractures are often immobilized for 6 to 12 weeks, followed by rehabilitation for regaining motion and strength.
How to reduce scar tissue?
Massage can help in reducing swelling and scar tissue mobilization. Hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder exercises to increase the range of movement and strength. Mobility exercises: tearing a paper, writing, and drawing, picking small objects, typing, combing, simple tasks like buttoning a shirt.
How long after a closed reduction can you get a radiograph?
AAOS clinical guidelines suggest weekly radiographs for the first three weeks after reduction and immobilization and before the removal of splints.
What is Smith's fracture?
The Smith's fracture is a specific type of injury to the forearm bone (the radius) near the wrist joint. In this injury, there is displacement of the bone such that the wrist joint rests in front of its normal anatomic position. The injury is most commonly found after falling on to the back of the hand, or by falling with the hand planted on ...
How to stabilize Smith's fracture?
If the fracture is displaced from its normal position, it will generally need to be secured in position with metal implants, typically a plate and screws . Other options to stabilize the fracture include pins inserted through the skin and external fixation. Most patients prefer the plate and screws since the fracture is well secured, and they can begin early efforts to improve the mobility of the joint.
What is the name of the fracture in the back of the hand?
A Smith's fracture is also sometimes referred to as a reverse Colles' fracture.
What are the factors that influence the decision to treat a fracture?
Some of these considerations include: Age of the patient. The activity level of the patient. Hand-dominance. Other medical issues ( such as diabetes, tobacco use, malnutrition)
What is wrist joint?
The wrist joint is the junction of the forearm with the hand. The joint is formed by the two forearm bones (the radius and the ulna) joining together with the small bones of the wrist. Generally, when someone is describing a wrist fracture, they are talking about an injury to the end of the radius bone. However, the word wrist fracture can be used ...
So, What Is a Smith's Fracture?
A Smith’s fracture is a fracture at the distal end of the radius bone in the forearm. It occurs as a result of a fall onto the palm of the hand, trauma that results in a volar (palm) displacement.
Diagnosis
A physical examination will usually reveal pain, swelling, a reduced range of motion and some disfigurement of the distal forearm. The angulation of the palm is often affected too, however, this is difficult to detect visually. It is at this stage that the nerves and circulation of the forearm need to be assessed, it’s likely that they’re affected.
