Colles Fracture

When someone begins to fall, they almost always extend their hand to reduce the force of hitting the ground. When they fall on the outstretched hand, the sudden impact of their body weight on the hand may cause the end of the lower arm bone (radius) to fracture just above the wrist. This is known as a Colles fracture.

Colles fractures are very common injury among adults. Particularly at risk are middle-aged to elderly women who suffer from the bone weakening disease, osteoporosis.

Signs of a Colles fracture include pain and swelling just above the wrist, and inability to hold or lift objects of any significant weight. The wrist may be pushed back over the broken bone resulting in a "forked" appearance of the hand. X-rays of an injured wrist will reveal the extent of injury.

Treatment may include repositioning bones and immobilization such as a splint or cast. Fractures with three or more pieces of broken bone, known as a comminuted fracture, may require pins or other devices to hold the bones in proper position while they heal.

Previously, Colles fractures were treated casually. The first doctor reporting on these injuries, Abrham Colles reported that all patients did well with very little treatment.( before x-ray). Recent long term studies of these injuries have revealed that arthritis and decreased function is frequent. Better results are acheived with reduction as close to normal as possible. These fracture are now treated frquently with surgery, sometimes extensive.

Patients heal from a Colles fracture but some people may not regain full mobility of their wrist joints. Chronic pain may result from ligament injury. Recovery frequenly takes six months.Other possible complications include post-traumatic arthritis and median nerve damage/compression leading to carpal tunnel syndrome.

Osteoporosis is a factor in as many as 250,000 wrist fractures. It has been suggested that people who suffer a wrist fracture may need to be screened for osteoporosis, especially if they have other risk factors.

The information presented has been modified from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.