### **Colles’ Fracture — Complete, Concise, and High-Yield Overview 🦴** --- #### 🩻 **Definition** A **Colles’ fracture** is a **distal radius fracture** occurring **within 2.5 cm of the wrist joint**, characterized by **dorsal (posterior) displacement and angulation** of the distal fragment. > 💡 Classic description: “**Dinner fork deformity**” (because the wrist looks like the back of a fork). --- #### ⚙️ **Mechanism of Injury** * **Fall on an outstretched hand (FOOSH)** with the **wrist extended** and **forearm pronated**. * Common in **elderly females** with **osteoporosis**. --- #### 🧠 **Anatomical Features** * Fracture of **distal radius** (transverse fracture line). * **Dorsal displacement**, **dorsal tilt**, and **radial deviation** of distal fragment. * May have **associated fracture** of the **ulnar styloid process**. --- #### 👁️ **Clinical Features** * **Pain**, **swelling**, and **tenderness** over the distal radius. * **Deformity**: “**Dinner fork**” or “**Silver fork**” appearance. * **Loss of wrist motion**, especially **flexion** and **pronation**. * Possible **median nerve compression** (carpal tunnel symptoms). --- #### 🔍 **Radiological Findings (X-ray)** **AP and Lateral views** of the wrist show: * Transverse fracture ~2.5 cm proximal to the wrist joint. * **Dorsal displacement and angulation**. * **Radial shortening**. * **Possible ulnar styloid fracture**. > ⚡ Key line: “Distal radial fragment displaced dorsally and radially.” --- #### 🩹 **Management** **1. Initial** * **Pain relief** (analgesics, ice pack). * **Closed reduction** under local anesthesia or sedation. * **Immobilization** with a **below-elbow plaster cast** in: * **Slight wrist flexion** * **Ulnar deviation** * **Pronation** **2. Definitive** * **Conservative**: * For stable fractures after reduction → **Plaster cast** for ~6 weeks. * **Surgical**: * For **unstable**, **comminuted**, or **intra-articular** fractures: * **Percutaneous K-wire fixation** * **External fixator** * **ORIF (plate and screws)** --- #### 🧩 **Complications** | Type | Examples | | --------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Early** | Swelling, median nerve compression, compartment syndrome | | **Late** | Malunion (dinner fork deformity), stiffness, post-traumatic arthritis, tendon rupture (esp. EPL), Sudeck’s dystrophy | --- #### 🧓 **Prognosis** * Generally **good** in young adults with proper reduction. * **Poor** in elderly (due to osteoporosis & poor bone healing). * **Functional recovery** may take **3–6 months**. --- #### 📋 **Mnemonic** **“COLLES”** * **C**: Common in elderly females * **O**: Outstretched hand fall * **L**: Lateral deviation of hand (radial displacement) * **L**: “Dinner fork” Look * **E**: Extension of wrist at injury * **S**: Styloid (ulnar) fracture may coexist --- Would you like me to make a **responsive interactive quiz (HTML, CSS, JS)** based on Colles’ fracture (like clinical cases or identification on X-rays)?