Colle's Fracture Flashcards
What is a Colles’ fracture?
An extra-articular fracture of the distal RADIUS with dorsal angulation of the distal radius fragment.
Most common mechanism of injury in a Colles’ fracture?
FOOSH with the forearm pronated in dorsiflexion.
Who does a Colles’ fracture most commonly affect?
1) Osteoporosis - ‘fragility fracture’
2) They can also occur in younger people, typically after high-energy trauma such as road traffic accidents.
Give 4 complications of Colles’ fractures
1) median nerve palsy
2) malunion
3) rupture of the extensor pollicis longus tendon
4) 2ary osteoarthritis of the radio-carpal joint
Risk factors for Colles’ fractures?
1) Female gender
- Being post-menopausal confers a higher risk of osteoporosis
2) Increasing age
3) Prolonged steroid use
4) Smoking
5) Low BMI
Presenting symptoms of a Colles’ fracture?
1) Wrist pain and swelling
2) Wrist deformity
3) Paresthesia and weakness
What deformity of the wrist does a Colles’ fracture cause?
Typically ‘dinner-fork’ deformity of the wrist, caused by dorsal displacement of the distal fragment of the radius.
What is the most common nerve to be damaged by a Colles’?
Median nerve
What is the gold standard investigation for diagnosis of a Colles’ fracture?
Plain XR using 2 views (usually AP and lateral)
Features of a Colles’ fracture on a plain radiograph?
1) Transverse fracture of the distal radius.
2) Dorsal displacement and angulation of the distal fragment of the radius.
3) In some cases the distal fragment of the radius is comminuted.
4) There may be an associated ulnar styloid fracture.
What accounts for 90% of all distal radius fractures?
Colles’ fractures
Mx of a Colles’ fracture?
Depends on the severity of the fracture.
The most common treatment method is closed reduction with immobilisation with a plaster cast.
If certain circumstances, open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) or external fixation may be required, such as:
- Unstable fracture
- Significant angulation of the distal fragment of the radius
Prognosis of Colles’ fracture?
Colles’ fractures typically unite by 6 weeks and repeat X-rays should be performed to ensure adequate union.
What is malunion?
If a fracture heals in a non-anatomical position
Symptoms of median nerve damage in a Colles’ fracture?
- paresthesia
- weakness and pain in the wrist and/or fingers
