Medication
The clinical presentation of Colles fracture is commonly described as a dinner fork deformity. A distal fracture of the radius causes posterior displacement of the distal fragment, causing the forearm to be angled posteriorly just proximal to the wrist.
Procedures
Physical Therapy Management. Many patients will present to a physiotherapist with pain, edema, decreased range of motion, decreased strength, and decreased functional abilities. Once a Colles’ fracture has healed rehabilitation is recommended in an attempt to restore function and strength to the fractured wrist.
Therapy
Differential Diagnosis The differential diagnosis for Colles fractures includes other types of distal radius fractures, as well as other forearm fractures, each of which can be differentiated with radiographic imaging.
Self-care
Management of a Colle's fracture depends on the severity of the fracture. An undisplaced fracture may be treated conservatively with a cast alone. The cast is applied with the distal fragment in palmar flexion and ulnar deviation. Surgical options can include external fixation, internal fixation, percutaneous pinning, and bone substitutes.
Nutrition
What is the clinical presentation of Colles fracture?
When to see a physiotherapist for Colles fracture?
What is the differential diagnosis for Colles fracture?
What is the management of Colle's fracture?
What is a closed 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.
How do you assess a Colles fracture?
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.
Is Colles fracture open or closed?
Types of Colles' wrist fractures Types of fractures include: open fracture: if the bone broke through your skin. comminuted fracture: if the bone broke into more than two pieces. intra-articular fracture: if the bone broke into your wrist joint.
What is closed treatment of distal radial fracture?
1:393:09Closed Reduction of a Distal Radius Fracture - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOnce the fracture is well aligned a cast or splint must be applied to hold it in alignment a sugarMoreOnce the fracture is well aligned a cast or splint must be applied to hold it in alignment a sugar Tong splint is a popular choice because it can be molded to hold the fracture.
Is the most reliable indicator of an underlying fracture?
Tenderness is the best indicator of an underlying fracture, dislocation or sprain.
What are the clinical signs and symptoms that you need to assess if a client has bone fracture?
SymptomsA visibly out-of-place or misshapen limb or joint.Swelling, bruising, or bleeding.Intense pain.Numbness and tingling.Broken skin with bone protruding.Limited mobility or inability to move a limb.
What structures are damaged 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 is a closed fracture of distal end of radius?
A fracture of the distal radius occurs when the radius — one of the two long bones in the forearm — breaks close to the wrist. Distal radius fractures are very common. In fact, the radius is the most commonly broken bone in the arm.
What is a closed reduction of the wrist?
Closed reduction is a procedure to set (reduce) a broken bone without surgery. It allows the bone to grow back together. It can be done by an orthopedic surgeon (bone doctor) or a primary care provider who has experience doing this procedure. After the procedure, your broken limb will be placed in a cast.
How is closed reduction of fracture bone?
Closed reduction is a procedure to set (reduce) a broken bone without cutting the skin open. The broken bone is put back in place, which allows it to grow back together. It works best when it is done as soon as possible after the bone breaks.
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:
Why should a male patient with a Colles fracture be investigated for osteoporosis?
The relationship between Colles fractures and osteoporosis is strong enough that when an older male patient presents with a Colles fracture, he should be investigated for osteoporosis because his risk of a hip fracture is also elevated.
How long after Colles fracture to check radiographs?
If the displacement of the Colles fracture is seen a few weeks after reduction, it's important to take and check radiographs a week-10 days after injury. Possible complications may include: Few very rare complications are carpal tunnel syndrome, Sudeck's atrophy and ulnar and radial compression neuropathy.
What is a Colles fracture?
A 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. It is commonly called a “broken wrist” in spite of the fact that the distal radius is the location of the fracture, ...
What age do Colles fractures occur?
In the United States and in Northern Europe, Colles fractures are the most common fractures in women up to the age of 75 years.
What are the surgical options for fractures?
Surgical options can include external fixation, internal fixation, percutaneous pinning, and bone substitutes. A fracture with mild angulation and displacement may require closed reduction. Significant angulation and deformity may require an open reduction and internal fixation or external fixation.
Is there evidence supporting the effects of electrical stimulation?
The literature is still not conclusive on this topic and the results of one study may contradict or, on the contrary, reinforce the results of another study. Yet there is evidence supporting the beneficial effects of electrical stimulation, especially in combination with physiotherapy exercises.
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.
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.
Non-Surgical Colles Fracture Treatments
The first action for any wrist break is to stabilize the joint then take measures to decrease the swelling.
Closed Reductions
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.
Surgical Procedures to Treat a Colles Fracture
Open reduction, or surgical management as it is often called, allows for much greater precision in setting a bone. If not correctly in place, a malunion of the fractured bone will occur. This effectively prevents a full recovery from being achieved.
Physiotherapy Options
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.
What is a colles fracture?
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 ...
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.
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 is the difference between intra articular and extra articular fractures?
Most Colles’ fractures can be put into four different categories, which are: Intra-articular - This is the type of fracture that will extend into your wrist joint. Extra-articular - This is when the fracture does not extend into your wrist joint. Com minuted articular - This is where the fracture results in more than two pieces of bone.
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.
Definition/Description
Clinical Relevant Anatomy
Epidemiology/Etiology
Characteristics/Clinical Presentation
Specialist to consult
Diagnosis
Differential Diagnosis/ Associated Injuries
Outcome Measures
Medical Management
Physical Therapy Management
Case Study