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Colles' fracture (distal radius fracture)

Colle's fracture is a fracture of the lower end of the radius with displacement of the distal fragment dorsally. It is sometimes called a reversed Colles' fracture or Smith's fracture when volar displacement occurs. Etiology: -> fracture of osteoporotic bone Epidemiology: 1) common in elderly 2) 15% lifetime risk for females [2] Complications: - associated with increased risk of hip fracture [2]

General

distal radial fracture

References

  1. Stedman's Medical Dictionary 26th ed, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 1995
  2. Earnshaw SA, Cawte SA, Worley A, Hosking DJ Colles' fracture of the wrist as an indicator of underlying osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: a prospective study of bone mineral density and bone turnover rate. Osteoporos Int. 1998;8(1):53-60. PMID: 9692078