Wrist Fractures Flashcards
Colles’ fracture
complete fracture of the distal radius with dorsal displacement of the distal fragment and radius shortening (from hyperextension of the wrist)
Smith’s fracture
complete fracture of the distal radius with volar displacement of the distal fragment (from hyperflexion of the wrist))
Barton’s fracture
fracture-dislocation of rim of radius along the carpus caused by shearing forces from the proximal carpus translating across the radius
Chauffeur’s fracture
fracture of distal radial styloid
Salter-Harris fracture
fracture of the growth (epiphyseal) plate of children and teens
Galeazzi’s fracture
unstable fracture of radial shaft and DRUJ disruption (usually the result of a FOOSH and most common in males)
Monteggia’s fracture
unstable fracture of ulnar shaft and radial head dislocation (usually the result of a FOOSH or blunt trauma)
Greenstick fracture
incomplete fracture common in children
concave side of bone may be intact or buckled with convex side fractured
Torus (buckle) fracture
incomplete fracture common in children
concave side of bone compresses (buckles) with convex side intact
Primary healing
when the bone fragments are secured using plates and/or screws where there is essentially no movement and good vascularity of the fracture site
*will bypass the three typical phases of bone healing
Secondary healing
process of bone tissue repair and reorganization
consists of the inflammatory phase, repair phase, remodeling phase
Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC)
hammock-like structure composed of cartilage and ligaments, suspends the ulnar carpus and acts as both a force distributor between the ulna head and triquetrum, and a primary stabilizer for the DRUJ
Central portion of TFCC
consists of articular disc which provides smooth gliding surface for the ulnar carpus
has no blood supply so will not heal if torn
Peripheral portions of TFCC
ligamentus and capable of bearing tensile loads generated during gripping or weight bearing on the wrist
% of load traveling through the carpal bones and transferred to the radius by TFCC
80%
% of load traveling through the carpal bones and transferred to the ulna by TFCC
20%
FOOSH
fall on out-stretched hand
44% of UE fractures
15% of all adult fractures in US
Most common distal forearm fracture
Colles’ fracture
2nd most common distal forearm fracture
Smith’s fracture
Categories of forearm fractures (3)
- extra-articular fracture
- intra-articular fracture
- comminuted
Extra-articular fracture
fracture did not cross into the joint space
Intra-articular fracture
fracture did cross into the joint space
Comminuted fracture
bone breaking into multiple segments
Types of fixation for distal radius fracture (4)
- cast
- external fixation
- dorsal plating
- volar fixed angle plating
How do you control edema in a patient who has a cast?
use positioning (elevation of extremity), retrograde massage, and AROM of uninvolved joints
How long does a cast typically stay on?
4-6 weeks
What happens after the cast is removed?
client wears orthosis for comfort and support for the next 2-4 weeks
How do you address joint contracture/muscle -tendon tightness following the removal of a cast?
static progressive splinting after 6 weeks