Winter Break Bonus Blog: Colles Calling!

Winter break is starting for many students and that means hitting the slopes for many families.  Snowboarding has taken off in popularity and fills the mountain sides of Big Bear, Mammoth, Tahoe, Aspen and other popular ski locations.  I remember learning how to snowboard a few years ago. After just a half a day snowboarding, I was sore all over afterwards, but especially my hands and wrists and butt from falling so much.

Falling on an outstretched hand can lead to a broken wrist. The broken wrist description is a misnomer. More specifically, the trauma can lead to a fracture of the distal end of the radius which is more commonly known as a Colles fracture, named after Dr. Abraham Colles ( N Engl J Med Surg 1814 ) . They are commonly related to sports injuries involving contact sports or activities that involve falling like snowboarding, skateboarding, or ice skating. Other examples of causes include motor vehicle accidents as the driver is grasping the steering wheel. Aside from sports injuries, osteoporosis can weaken the bones and predispose older individuals to sustain Colles fractures as well. (clevelandclinic.org). This is perhaps why women, who are predisposed to increased rates of osteoporosis, have a higher incidence of Colles fractures compared to men. 

According to the NIH, “the Colles fracture is defined as a distal radius fracture with dorsal comminution, dorsal angulation, dorsal displacement, radial shortening, and an associated ulnar styloid fracture. X rays or CT scans are the most commonly used imaging to diagnose the fracture.  The shape of the fracture leads many to refer to it as a dinner fork deformity. Physical exam will reveal pain, swelling, numbness and possible wrist deformity.

Colles fractures typically cannot heal on their own. The bone needs stabilization and immobilization. The broken bones all need to be put back into proper position. (aaos.org) Doctors may need to reset the bone (which is painful so usually done under anesthesia) or repair it with surgery using pins, plates and screws to secure the fracture. Fractures can take at least 2 months to heal and even longer in some cases. (www.webmd.com)

Wrist injuries like a Colles fracture can lead to secondary osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, malunion of the fracture bones and limited hand and finger mobility. (Clevelandclinic.org). Certain preventive measures can be used to reduce the risk of a Colles fracture.  Lifestyle modification, wrist guards and other fall protection methods can hopefully protect the wrists. Unfortunately, falls can’t be totally prevented.

Figure from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21860-colles-fracture