19. Typical radial bone fracture (distal radius fracture) principals and treatment methods

Question 1

What is a Cole’s fracture?

Answer 1

What:
• Distal fracture of the radius
How:
• falling forward with outstreched hands

Question 2

What is the treatment for a Cole’s fracture?

Answer 2

Undisplaced:
* Cast alone
Mild displacement:
* Closed reduction

Significant deformity, comminuted fracture, open fracture, intra articular displacement >2mm:
* open reduction internal fixation (ORIF)
* CRPP (closed reduction percutaneous pinning)

Question 3

What is a Smith’s fracture?

Answer 3

What:
• Distal fracture of the radius
How:
• falling forward with flexed hands

Question 4

What is the treatment for a Smith’s fracture?

Answer 4

Same as Cole’s fracture

Question 5

What is a Galeazzi fracture?

Answer 5

What:
* Fracture of the radius
* Dislocation of distal radioulnar joint
How:
* direct wrist trauma, fall onto outstretched hand

Question 6

What is the treatment for a Galeazzi fracture?

Answer 6

ORIF of the radius

and the distal radio‐ulnar joint NEEDS ORIF or pinning

assess stability of DRUJ