IMPORTANT: We currently have a number of bugs related to image cropping and are actively trying to resolve them. In the meantime, we have disabled cropping. Apologies for any inconvenience. Stay informed: radiopaedia.org/chat

Colles fracture

Case contributed by Leonardo Lustosa
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Fall onto the outstretched hand while playing football/soccer. Dinner fork deformity of the wrist upon physical examination (see photograph below).

Patient Data

Age: 60 years
Gender: Male
x-ray

Radiographs revealed an extra-articular fracture of the distal radius with dorsal displacement. This describes a Colles fracture.

Photo

Classic dinner fork deformity of the wrist seen in Colles fractures.

Case Discussion

Distal radius fractures are some of the most common fractures of the skeleton.

Many eponyms are used to describe common patterns of these fractures.

One of these eponyms is the Colles fracture, which describes an extra-articular distal metaphyseal fracture of the radius with dorsal displacement.

This displacement causes a classic wrist deformity that resembles a dinner fork.

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.