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Title: Distal Radius Fractures

Category: Orthopedics

Keywords: radius, fracture, colles, smith, barton, chauffer (PubMed Search)

Posted: 5/2/2009 by Michael Bond, MD (Updated: 7/21/2026)

Distal Radius Fractures

  • The radius is the most commonly fracutred bone of the arm.
     
  • The Colles fracture is a fracture of the distal radius that is angulated dorsally [The distal fragment is angulated towards the back of the hand.]
     
  • The Smith fracture is similar but the distal fracture is angulated volarly [towards the palm of the hand]
     
  • Other less commonly named fractures are the:
    • Barton's - an intraarticular fracture fo the distal radius with dislocation of the radiocarpal joint.  Typically occrus as a fall on the extended and pronated wrist.
       
    • Chauffeur's fracutre - a fracture of the radial styloid process.  Typically caused by compression of the scaphoid against the styloid.  Also known as a hutchinson fracture.

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