Colle’s Fracture

An eponym is the name of a person, whether real or fictitious, after which a particular place, tribe, era, discovery, or other item is named or thought to be named.

One who is referred to as eponymous is someone who gives his or her name to something.

“Pott’s fracture is bimalleolar fracture of ankle, trimalleolar fracture of ankle is called cotton’s fracture”
All other eponymous fractures are correctly defined.

Ref: Maheshwari 3/e, Page 2-3.

Colles fracture is a fracture at the distal end of radius at its cortico cancellous junction. It is the commonest fracture in women above 40 years of age because of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

olles fracture refers to a fracture dislocation of the inferior radioulnar joint.

It is associated with a classical dinner fork deformity.

This fracture is associated with all the complications mentioned in the question except the rupture of flexor pollicis tendon.

Secondary to colles fracture there is a rupture of extensor pollicis tendon.

This occur due to the attrition of the tendon as it glides over the sharp fracture surfaces.

It usually occurs 4-6 weeks after the fracture.

• Dorsally displaced distal radius fractures are commonly called Colles fractures.
• Bennett’s fractures are fractures of the base of the first metacarpal.
• Jones fracture are fractures of the fifth metatarsal in the foot.
• Salter-Harris fractures are a classification system of growth plate (physeal) fractures in children.

Ref: Textbook of Orthopedics, 4th Edition By John Ebnezar, Page 643

• Median nerve compression
• Tendon damage
• Ulnar nerve contusion or compression
• Compartment syndrome
• Fragment displacement with loss of reduction
• Decreased range of motion of the wrist
• Prolonged swelling

• Stiffness of the fingers, shoulder, or radiocarpal joint
• Shoulder-hand syndrome
• Cosmetic defects
• Rupture of the extensor pollicis longus
• Malunion
• Nonunion
• Flexor tendon adhesions
• Chronic pain of the radioulnar joint with supination

C i.e. Common in elderly women

Coll’s fracture is fracture of lower end of radius at its cortico cancellous junctionQ (- 2.5 cm / 1.5 inch above the distal articular surface) mostly occuring in post menopausal osteoporotic elderly womenQ ; as a result of fall on outstretched hand. (with wrist in extension). It is most common of all fractures in older people. 

B i.e. Dorsal tilt

D i.e. Medial rotation

A i.e. Rupture of flexor pollicis longus tendon

Ans. is ‘d’ i.e., Garden spade deformity

COLLES FRACTURE

• Colle’s fracture is an extra-articular fracture at the distal end of radius, at its cortico-cancellous junction. It is the most common fracture in person over 40 years of age and especially in women after menopause (Postmenopausal females). The association of the fracture with osteoporosis is now well established and it is one of the fragility fracture, seen in osteoporosis. The fracture nearly always caused by fall on outstretched hand.

Displacement in colle’s fracture

The fracture line runs transversely at the cortico-cancellous junction.

In the majority of the cases, one or more displacements of the distal fragment occur :-

1. Dorsal displacement (Dorsal shift)
2. Lateral tilt (lateral angulation)
3. Dorsal tilt (Dorsal angulation)
   
4. Supination (external rotation)
5. Lateral displacement (lateral shift)
   
6. Impaction (proximal migration)
7. Clinical features of colles fracture

Pain and swelling at the wrist.

Typical deformity : There is a dorsal hollow or depression just proximal to the fracture and immediately distal to this there is a marked prominence caused by lower fragment being displaced backwards, carrying with it the whole of the carpus and hand. This gives appearance of a fork, So named dinner fork/ silver fork / spoon shaped deformity.