Colles' Fracture

What is a Colles' fracture?

Colles' fracture is a broken bone in the arm near the wrist. The bone that is broken is 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 you slip or stumble and put out an open hand to break the fall. Such a fall can break a bone, especially if your bones are weakened and brittle from 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 healthcare 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 healthcare provider may prescribe exercise and physical or occupational 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, the wrist may appear deformed after the cast or splint has been removed. The bone may heal in a tipped-back position even when the bones were aligned perfectly. This may be more likely if you have arthritis that makes it difficult to align the bones exactly when setting the break. This often looks worse than it feels.

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. Follow your healthcare 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.