Home
About Us
Contact Us
Find a Doctor
Arthritis Osteoarthritis
Arthritis Types
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Psoriasis
Fractures Fractures
Fracture Types
Adult Fractures
Kids' Fractures
Salter-Harris Fracture
Salter Type I Fx
Salter Type II Fx
Salter Type III Fx
Salter Type IV Fx
Hand & Wrist Wrist Fractures
Scaphoid Fractures
Scaphoid Fx Diag.
Scaphoid Fx. Treat.
Knee Knee Joint Pain
Knee Sprain
Knee Cartilage Tears
Knee Arthroscopy
Knee ACL Surgery
Foot & Ankle Ankle Pain
AnkleFracture
Treating Ankle Sprains
Ankle Braces
Heel Pain
Heel Pain Treatment
Hip Hip Fracture
Hip Pain
Back & Neck Low Back Pain
Spinal Stenosis
Shoulder Shoulder Pain
Shoulder Anatomy
Shldr Impingement
Rotator Cuff Tear
Cuff Tear Symptoms
Shldr Arthroscopy
Shoulder labral tear
Joint Replacement Joint Replacement
Shoulder Replacement
Anesthesia Anesthesia Types
Epidural Anesthesia
Fem. Nerve Block
Interscalene Block
Suprascapular Block
Medications & Treatments Joint Pain Remedies
NSAIDs
Alternative Pain Rx
Pt. Advocacy Patient Advocate
Web Friends

Wrist Fractures

Of all wrist fractures, the Colle’s variety is easily the most commonly encountered wrist injuries in adults, and especially those with any level of osteoporosis, or thinning of the bones. This injury type typically results from a fall onto the outstretched arm, causing the hand and wrist to dorsiflex, or, bend backwards

The fracture line is usually seen running transverse, or across, the distal end of the radius bone (the end closest to the hand). It can present as a "simple" injury with essentially one large fragment; the end-piece of the radius, or as a comminuted fracture (see “fracture types” page) with several fragments.

Additionally, this injury is often accompanied by an ancillary small injury to the very tip of the ulna (forearm) bone called the ulnar styloid. In reality, this injury is more like a ligament injury or “avulsion fracture”, in which case the ulnar ligament is stretched so tightly that it literally “pulls” a small piece of bone away from its attachment.

The degree of angulation, number of fragments and most importantly whether it involves the joint surface(s) of the wrist, and to what degree, all determine the type of treatment needed.



You’ll see in the sports picture below a common mechanism of injury where the wrist is forcibly bent backwards. In day-to-day life, most Colle’s fractures occur from falls onto icy or wet pavement, irregular sidewalks, slippery floors and loose edges of indoor rugs and carpeting.



Looking at this x-ray, you can see the distal fracture fragment; the end-piece of the radius bone, is angled backwards towards the backside of the arm, this is called "dorsal angulation" and a classic sign of a Colle's fracture.





Check out the arm deformity in this picture. It demonstrates the familiar backward angle, or “dorsal angulation” of the distal fragment in Colle’s injury type. This visible deformity is also known as the “dinner fork” deformity as it resembles the side view of a dinner fork.



Another wrist/hand injury that is frequently seen from falling onto the outstretched hand is the carpal scaphoid fracture.

Carpal bones are the small bones of the hand adjacent to the wrist. The longer bones of the hand are called metacarpals.This injury is seen most frequently among active young adults.

Leave Wrist Fractures, Go to Fractures

Leave Wrist Fractures, Go to Home Page


www.Bone-And-Joint-Pain.com.
All Rights Reserved
Not to be copied or re-printed for profit without expressed written permission.

SBI
SBI!



TopMedical - Lowest Prices Guaranteed


Visit OTCOnly.com!





Get Relief from Tension and Sinus Headaches with Headache Pain Management from Forces of Nature - FDA Registered!