Medication
Colles’ Fracture Treatment If the broken wrist isn’t in the correct position to heal, your doctor may need to reset it. This can be pretty painful so it's usually done with anesthesia. However, painkillers will help afterward.
Procedures
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.
Therapy
The treatment of a Colles fracture depends on the extent of the injury. A straightforward fracture with no displacement will simply require casting to immobilise the bones until they are healed. This is usually around 6 weeks.
Self-care
The pieces are put together and held in place with one or more plates and screws. In certain cases, a second incision is required on the back side of your wrist to re-establish the anatomy. Plates and screws will be used to hold the pieces in place. If there are multiple bone pieces, fixation with plates and screws may not be possible.
Nutrition
How do you treat a broken wrist with Colles?
What is a Colles fracture of the wrist?
What is the treatment for a Colles fracture?
How are the pieces of a broken wrist fixed together?
What is the treatment for a Colles fracture?
Doctors can treat most Colles' fractures with casting or splinting. Some people may benefit from surgery to improve alignment and restore function in the wrist, after a Colles' fracture.
Is Colles fracture emergency?
Colles' fractures are a common presentation to emergency departments across the globe. The eponymous fracture is a dorsally angulated extra-articular distal radial metaphyseal single segment fracture.
How do you immobilize a Colles fracture?
Historically, closed reduction and cast immobilization has been the mainstay of treatment in Colles fracture1 and still continues to do so in selected cases. Although above elbow cast is preferred, a forearm cast is sufficient.
What is a common surgical approach for Colles fracture?
The procedure most commonly used is called reduction. During the procedure, an incision is made to allow access to your broken bones. Your surgeon will then realign your bones and close the incision.
When does a Colles fracture need surgery?
You might need surgery if your bones are too out of place. In this procedure, your orthopaedic surgeon moves the bones into the correct position and then uses one or more of the following to keep the bones in place: Metal pins. Plates.
What is the most common method of reduction for a Colles fracture?
A very commonly used method of closed reduction is manual traction (MT). An assistant provides counter-traction while the operator provides traction and manipulates the bone fragments into position.
How long do you have to wear 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.
Which nerve is 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. It typically occurs as a result of a fall on an outstretched hand.
What happens in a Colles fracture?
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.
What is the commonest complication of Colles fracture?
Possible complications may include: Malunion. Persistent translation of the carpus. Shortening of radius. Stiffness of the wrist and the forearm.
When does a broken wrist Need surgery?
In some cases, surgery might be needed for wrist fractures. Your orthopedic physician may recommend this option if the fracture pattern of your wrist makes it difficult to properly set and realign your bones. If this is the case, surgery can help stabilize the fractured pieces.
Which is the most famous fracture of the radius?
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 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 to do if you have a broken wrist?
Physical therapy. Depending on the severity of your injury, you might have to work with a physical therapist or occupational therapist. You’ll do exercises to help rebuild strength in your wrist and regain your normal range of motion.
What to wear after wrist surgery?
After surgery, you may need to wear a splint or cast to immobilize your wrist and help with pain relief.
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.
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.
Symptoms and Causes
You might get a Colles fracture if you stretch out your hand to catch yourself in a fall. It can also happen if you experience trauma like a car accident.
Diagnosis and Tests
Your healthcare providers at the emergency department will take X-rays of your wrist. The X-rays will show any broken bones.
Management and Treatment
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. The plaster cast starts below your elbow and extends to the middle of your fingers. It’s important to keep your cast dry.
Prevention
Preventing a Colles fracture might not be possible, but you can take certain safety precautions to lower your risk of injury, including:
How to heal a broken wrist?
Practice stretching and strengthening exercises of the fingers, elbow, and shoulder if your doctor recommends them. Most of the time, these treatments will be enough. But sometimes, people with a broken wrist need surgery. Your doctor might suggest this if the bone is not likely to heal well in a cast.
How to get rid of a swollen wrist?
Elevate your wrist on a pillow or the back of a chair above the level of your heart for the first few days. This will ease pain and swelling. Ice the wrist. Do this for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours for 2 to 3 days.
What causes a broken wrist?
Usually, these injuries result from falling onto an outstretched arm or getting hit on the wrist. Broken wrists are common in people who play contact sports, as well as skiers, inline skaters, and bikers. People with osteoporosis or thinning of the bones are at particularly high-risk for wrist fractures.
How to tell if your wrist is broken?
Swelling. Bruising. Deformity of the wrist, sometimes called a “dinner fork deformity,” which causes it to look crooked and bent. To diagnose a broken wrist, your doctor will give you a thorough physical exam.
How long does it take for a broken wrist to heal?
Here are some things to keep in mind during recovery from a broken wrist: It might take 8 weeks or longer for your wrist to heal. More severe breaks may not fully mend for 6 months. You and your doctor will decide when you are fully recovered. Don't rush back into your activity too soon.
What is a Colles fracture?
What is a Colles’ Fracture? A Colles' fracture -- or distal radius fracture -- is often called a ''broken wrist.''. In France it’s sometimes called a “Pouteau-Colles” fracture. 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 ...
Where does the Colles fracture occur?
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. In the United States, 1 of every 10 broken bones is a broken wrist.
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.
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.
What are the best supplements for bone health?
Proper nutrition, especially calcium and vitamin D, can strengthen bones. These vitamins and minerals can be found in leafy vegetables, dairy products and fish. Weight-bearing and strength training exercises can increase bone and muscle strength.
Is wearing a wrist guard a good safety precaution?
If engaging in sports, wearing a wrist guard is an excellent safety precaution, one that may protect the wrist effectively in case of falls. If you are suffering from any of the aforementioned symptoms, contact an IBJI physician today.
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 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 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 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 to heal a swollen wrist after a cast?
The arm is then splinted for a few days to allow swelling to settle before being put in a plaster 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.
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 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.
Can a fracture at the end of the radius occur?
This is especially common in older females who suffer from Osteoporosis (brital bones). Often patients will not know they have weak bones. Due to the force required to fracture the radius, sometimes a fracture at the end of the Ulna will also occur. Soft tissue injuries to the ligaments and tendons at the wrist are also likely to occur.
Where to get treatment for broken wrist?
You might first seek treatment for a broken wrist in an emergency room or urgent care clinic. If the pieces of broken bone aren't lined up properly to allow healing with immobilization, you might be referred to a doctor specializing in orthopedic surgery.
How to heal a broken wrist?
Restricting the movement of a broken bone in your wrist is critical to proper healing. To do this, you'll likely need a splint or a cast. You'll be advised to keep your hand above heart level as much as possible to reduce swelling and pain.
How long does it take for a wrist splint to heal?
Rehabilitation can help, but it can take several months or longer for complete healing.
What is the diagnosis of a broken wrist?
Diagnosis. The diagnosis of a broken wrist generally includes a physical exam of the affected hand and X-rays.
What happens if you break a bone?
If the broken ends of the bone aren't aligned properly, there can be gaps between the pieces of bone or fragments might overlap . Your doctor will need to manipulate the pieces back into position, a procedure known as a reduction. Depending on the amount of pain and swelling you have, you might need a local or general anesthetic before this procedure.
Can you move your fingers after a fracture?
Depending on the amount of pain and swelling you have, you might need a local or general anesthetic before this procedure. Whatever your treatment, it's important to move your fingers regularly while the fracture is healing to keep them from stiffening. Ask your doctor about the best ways to move them.
How to recover from a broken wrist?
But doing the exercises you are given will speed your recovery. If you have surgery, you may start physical therapy earlier to avoid wrist stiffness. However, if you don't have surgery, you will most often start wrist motion later to avoid shifting of the fracture.
How long do you have to wear a splint for a broken wrist?
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.
Why does my wrist break?
A Colles wrist fracture is caused by a forceful injury to the wrist. This may occur due to: Having osteoporosis is a major risk factor for wrist fractures. Osteoporosis makes bones brittle, so they need less force to break. Sometimes a broken wrist is the first sign of thinning bones.
How long does it take to recover from a wrist fracture?
The initial recovery from a wrist fracture can take 3 to 4 months or more. You may need physical therapy. You should start working with a physical therapist as soon as your provider recommends. The work may seem hard and at times painful. But doing the exercises you are given will speed your recovery.
How to help a swollen arm?
This can help reduce swelling and pain. Apply an ice pack to the injured area. Use the ice for 15 to 20 minutes every few hours for the first few days while the swelling goes down.
How to keep fingers from losing function?
Exercising your fingers, elbow, and shoulder is important. It can help keep them from losing their function. Talk with your provider about how much exercise to do and when you can do it. Typically, the provider or surgeon will want you to start moving your fingers as soon as possible after the splint or cast is put on.
What to do if you break a bone?
If your break is severe, you may need to see a bone doctor (orthopedic surgeon). Treatments may include: Closed reduction, a procedure to set (reduce) a broken bone without surgery. Surgery to insert pins and plates to hold your bones in place or replace the broken piece with a metal part.
What is immediate fracture treatment?
Your occupation and activity level. In any case, the immediate fracture treatment is the application of a splint for comfort and pain control. If the fracture is displaced, it is reduced (put back into the correct position) before it is placed in a splint.
How long does it take to recover from a wrist fracture?
Once the cast is removed, you can start physical therapy to regain proper wrist function and strength. X-rays may be taken at three weeks and then at six weeks if the fracture was reduced or thought to be unstable. They may be taken less often if the fracture was not reduced and thought to be stable.
What is a colles fracture?
Depending on the angle of the distal radius as it breaks, the fracture is called a Colles or Smith fracture. A Colles fracture may result from direct impact to the palm, like if you use your hands to break up a fall and land on the palms.
How long does a distal radius fracture last?
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 are the two types of distal radius fractures?
Depending on the angle of the break, distal radius fractures can be classified into two types: Colles or Smith. Falls are the main cause of distal radius fractures. They may also occur during trauma from a vehicle accident or sports injury.
Why does my wrist bump?
There is a distinct “bump” in the wrist similar to the neck of the fork. It happens because the broken end of the distal radius shifts up toward the back of the hand. A Smith fracture is the less common of the two. It may result from an impact to the back of the wrist, such as falling on a bent wrist. The end of the distal radius typically shifts ...
What is the radius of the wrist?
The part of the radius connected to the wrist joint is called the distal radius. When the radius breaks near the wrist, it is called a distal radius fracture . The break usually happens due to falling on an outstretched or flexed hand. It can also happen in a car accident, ...
What Are Smith and Colles Fractures?
A Smith fracture occurs on the distal radius. This is the larger radius in the two bones in the arm. A Smith fracture is also associated with palmar angulation of the distal fragment. Smith fractures do not extend to the wrist, hence they are extra-articular. These fractures are usually transverse.
Symptoms of Smith and Colles Fractures
Both fractures have similar symptoms. You will experience immediate pain, bruising, and swelling in the area and tenderness in the surrounding tissue. Depending on the severity of the fracture, the wrist might be in an unnatural position.
Diagnosis of Smith and Colles Fractures
For Smith fractures, the pain is not very severe, and you still have a functioning wrist. You can do first aid and visit the doctor after a while. If you experience some numbness or have pink fingers, or your wrist is at an abnormal angle, you need to rush to the emergency room.
Treatment of Smith Fracture
Smith fractures are treated by putting the broken bones together in the correct order. There is a need to ensure that the bones remain in place until the injury heals. Treatment varies depending on your age and the extent of the injury. There are surgical and non-surgical treatment options.
Treatment of Colles Fracture
Treatment of Coles fractures can be through the use of surgical and non-surgical methods.
Can Other Conditions Develop if Treatment is Delayed?
If you delay treatment or do not get proper treatment, your bones will not heal properly. You will not regain the full function of your hand. You can also get complex regional pain syndrome that affects your limbs after injury. It’s believed that the syndrome occurs when the nervous system gets damaged.
Pain Management of Smith and Colles Fractures
The pain you experience when you have a fracture is difficult to determine. If the pain is moderate, you can use ice packs and OTC painkillers and elevate the arm. To get relief from pain and inflammation, you might be given acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Severe pain might have you getting an opioid prescription.
