Distal radius fracture

Distal radius fractures are common fractures, especially of the elderly. They occur due to fall on outstretched arm. Colles fracture is an extraarticular fracture with dorsal angulation of the fragment. Smith fracture is an extraarticular fracture with ventral angulation of the fragment. The median nerve may be injured. Non-dislocated fractures are treated conservatively; dislocated fractures are treated surgically.

Etiology

Fall on outstretched arm with dorsiflexed wrist (Colles fracture) or palmar flexed wrist (Smith facture).

Classification

We distinguish multiple type of distal radius fractures:

Type	Description
Colles fracture	Extraarticular fracture with dorsal angulation of the fragment
Smith fracture	Extraarticular fracture with ventral angulation of the fragment
Barton fracture	Intraarticular with associated dorsal displacement (radiocarpal dislocation)
Chauffeur fracture	Avulsion fracture of radial styloid

Clinical features

Pain, swelling, deformation, displacement. Median nerve injury. Carpal tunnel syndrome.

Diagnosis and evaluation

X-ray.

Treatment

Conservative treatment with closed reduction + splint is used for fractures without dislocation or with minimal dislocation.

Surgical treatment with ORIF is used for dislocated fractures.