Colles' Fracture

Colles' fracture is a broken bone in the arm near the wrist called the radius. The radius is the shorter of the two bones of your lower arm and is on the thumb side of your arm. The break usually results from a fall on an outstretched hand.

How does it occur?

Such injuries often occur when a person slips or stumbles and puts out an open hand to break the fall. Such a fall can break a bone, especially in an older person whose bones are weakened and brittle (a condition called osteoporosis).

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms may include:

• sudden pain
  
• swelling
  
• bruising
  
• disfigurement of the wrist.
  

How is it diagnosed?

X-rays of the forearm and wrist are taken.

How is it treated?

You will be given medication to lessen the pain. If necessary, your health care provider will move the ends of the broken bones back into proper alignment. If the break is very severe, you may be given general anesthesia so that the bone can be repositioned during surgery. A cast or splint may be applied to help maintain the position of the bones.

A Colles' fracture usually takes up to 8 weeks to heal. X- rays may be taken from time to time during recovery to see how it is healing. When the cast or splint is removed, the affected wrist and the fingers, hand, and shoulder on that side may be stiff for several more weeks. Your health care provider may prescribe exercise and physical therapy.

You will not be able to bend your wrist while the cast or splint is in place. You may need someone to help you with daily activities such as cooking, housework, driving, and self-care (showering and dressing) until the cast or splint is removed.

Older people in poor health may need extra help to maintain an independent lifestyle while they recover from a Colles' fracture.

In older adults, some deformity in the appearance of the wrist usually remains after the cast or splint has been removed. A bump over the area of the fracture can result even in normal healing where the bones were aligned perfectly. A small amount of deformity is acceptable, especially if it means surgery can be avoided and if the fracture occurs in the non-dominant hand of an older person.

You may have some pain and weakness in your wrist for 6 to 12 months after the injury. This may come and go with changes in the weather and gradually improves.

What can I do to help myself?

Most people regain use of their wrist and hand after a Colles' fracture, but exercise and physical therapy may help you recover more quickly and more fully. If you are in a cast, it is very important to move your fingers fully as the wrist heals to reduce swelling and stiffness in the hand. Follow your health care provider's treatment plan and do your exercises regularly.

If osteoporosis contributed to the bone fracture, you should talk to your provider about overall bone strength and whether any tests or treatments are in order.

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Adapted from content provided by iMcKesson, LLC
Review Date: 7/19/2001