Colles' Fracture

Colles' fracture was first described by Abraham Colles in 1814. It is a fracture of the distal radius that it is 2.5 cm from the wrist joint, with the distal fragment impacted dorsally tilted and often radially displaced (Compare with Smith's fracture). It occurs most commonly in postmenopausal women.

Classification

Frykman's classification (1967) is most commonly used:

• Groups 1 & 2 - extra-articular fracture ± distal ulna fracture
• Groups 3 & 4 - intra-articular fracture involving the radiocarpal joint ± distal ulna fracture
• Groups 5 & 6 - intra-articular fracture involving the distal radial ulna joint ± distal ulna fracture
• Groups 7 & 8 - intra-articular fracture involving the radiocarpal and distal radio ulnar joint ± distal ulna fracture

Mechanism of Injury / History

The patient gives a history of falling onto the outstretched hand (wrist being in extension).