Colles Fracture (Fractured Wrist)
What Is A Colles Fracture (Fractured Wrist?
A fall onto an outstretched hand can lead to a fracture of the wrist. This is a very common injury an accounts for approximately ¼ of all fractures of limbs. It is common in children and young adults who take part in sporting activities as well as the elderly whose bones are not as strong. In this injury there may be a fracture of either the end of the radius bone or the ulna bone, or both.
Common Causes
Common sports that can cause this injury:
- Snowboarding
- Skiing
- Skateboarding
- Football
Common Signs & Symptoms
Following this injury the common symptoms are:
- Deformity of the wrist
- Pain in the wrist
Condition Management
What should be done following this injury:
- Attend the Emergency Room to have an X-ray taken.
- Elevate the wrist to reduce the pain and swelling in the wrist
- Use ice or a reusable cold pack to reduce pain and swelling (the recommended time is 10 minutes on with 1 hour off). Never apply ice directly to the skin.
- Use a sling to protect, elevate and rest the wrist
If there is a fracture a POP (Plaster of Paris) will be applied for approximately 6 weeks which will allow the fracture to heal. For more complex fractures it may be necessary to have an operation to fix the bones back together.
