Distal Radial and Ulnar Fractures

Question 1

What is the common cause for these fractures?

Answer 1

FOOSH

Question 2

What type of fracture are wrist fractures?

Answer 2

Intra-articular fractures

Question 3

What will the examination show?

Answer 3

Swollen, tender, deformed wrist

Question 4

X-rays:

Dorsal and volar are used instead of anteriorly and posteriorly. What side of the hand is dorsal?

What words should be used instead of medial and lateral?

Answer 4

Dorsal - the bony top side of the hand

Volar - the palm side
Radial and ulnar

Question 5

Colles fracture:

Is it extra/intraarticular?

What bone is fractured?

Which way does it displace and angulate, dorsal or volar?

It usually happens from FOOSH on an extended hand. What is another way of saying extended?

Rx - Cast Immobilisation - What position does a cast hold the wrist?

What nerve is likely to be damaged?

What is likely to happen to the shoulder due to immobilisation

Answer 5

Extraarticular

Radius

Dorsal displacement

Extended - dorsiflexed

Slightly flexed and ulnar deviation

Median nerve injury

Frozen shoulder

https://teachmesurgery.com/orthopaedic/wrist-and-hand/distal-radius-fracture/

Question 6

Smiths fracture:

BASICALLY THE REVERSE OF COLLES FRACTURE!

It is displaced and angulated posteriorly. What is another name for this?

They can be either extra/intraarticular!

What way is the hand positioned in the FOOSH?

Answer 6

Volar displacement - lookup

Flexed arm

Question 7

What do Colles and Smith fractures indicators for which should be screened for?

Answer 7

Osteoporosis

Question 8

Management - Undisplaced:

How long are they in a cast?

Management - Displaced:

• A reduction is needed before cast immobilisation!
• An MUA is done. What does it stand for?
• What can it be fixed with?

Answer 8

6 wks

Manipulation under anaesthesia

K-wires
Plates and screws