Radius is known to be the most commonly broken bone in the wrist. This could occur due to multiple reasons like accidents, sports injuries, or falls.

Colles’ fracture is a distal radius break in which the broken bone points upward. When the bone break occurs about one inch from the wrist on the side of the thumb, it is known as a distal radius break. The condition is named after Irish surgeon and anatomist Abraham Colles who first described the condition in 1814. The most common cause of this condition is found to be a fall with an outstretched hand.

If the fracture is found to be a displaced one with more than two fragments, the use of implants like Orthopedic Implants Plates, metal screws, and pins may be required.

What Are the Causes of Colles’ Fracture?

Colles’ fractures are common, and the term is often used for distal radius fractures. When it comes to the most common cause of Colles’ fracture, then falling on an outstretched hand is the one. Besides this, automobile accidents or skiing accidents could also be the reason for this type of fracture.

The age of the person also decides which type of cause will result in this type of fracture. For example, falling will most commonly result in Colles’ fracture in older people as they are known to have brittle bones. While on the other hand, in younger ones, high-impact trauma could be the reason for such fractures.

Above all, people suffering from conditions like osteoporosis are highly prone to developing Colles’ fractures.

What Are the Different Types of Colles’ Fractures?

Colles’ fracture can be categorized into different types depending upon the type and severity of the break. Below mentioned are the types that the doctor will recognize:

Open Fracture – This is when the bone breaks out of the skin

Comminuted Fracture – In this case, the bone breaks into more than two pieces

Intra-articular Fracture – This is where the bone breaks into the wrist joint

Extra-articular Fracture – In this case, the wrist joint is not involved

What Are the Symptoms Associated with Colles’ Fracture?

Below mentioned are the most common symptoms associated with the condition:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Tenderness
• Bruising
• Visible deformity in the wrist
• Damage to the median nerve (not common)

How is Colles’ Fracture Diagnosed?

Medical history is what the surgeon will check to identify the reasons for symptoms experienced by the patient. The surgeon will also ask about the symptoms in detail. Besides this, a physical examination plays a critical role in giving the surgeon a better idea about the condition. Here, the surgeon will look for swelling, deformity, and painful areas & movements.

Imaging tests are always performed to confirm the fracture and the most common being an x-ray.

How is Colles’ Fracture Treated?

The treatment of the condition aims at bringing back the broken bone pieces to their correct anatomy and ensure their healing. The treatment can either be performed without surgery or with surgery, and this will depend upon the diagnosis made.

Non-surgical treatment

This is the most common treatment method performed in the case of Colles’ fracture, and it is preferred when the bones are in good shape and no displacement is there.

In this case, a cast or a splint is applied. A splint is generally preferred in older adults or those who are not much active. In younger ones, a cast is applied, and it stays for around 6 weeks. The healing process is monitored using x-rays.

Surgical treatment

Surgery is only preferred when the broken bones have been displaced, and more than two pieces of broken bones are seen during the diagnosis. During surgery, the surgeon will apply trauma implants like orthopedic implant plates, screws, or nails to realign bone pieces and help them heal properly.

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