Slips, trips, and falls are extremely common forms of personal injury accidents. They can occur at the grocery store, in a parking lot, on private property, or in the workplace. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, falls are the leading cause of death in construction workers. Even if a fall isn’t fatal, it can cause a variety of injuries. The wrists are at high risk of injury in falls, as it’s natural to try to catch yourself by flinging out your arms. Impact to the wrist can cause a specific type of break, called a Colles fracture.
What Kind of Break is a Colles Fracture?
A Colles fracture describes the break of the radius bone in the forearm. The radius is the larger of the two main bones located in your forearm. A Colles wrist fracture occurs when the distal end of the radius breaks. A Colles fracture is incredibly painful, and can cause your wrist to bend in an unnatural way. Someone with a Colles fracture may not be able to grip or hold anything, and may experience bruising and swelling in the area.
The name comes from Abraham Colles, wrote a paper on this type of wrist fracture in 1814. Colles fractures are most common in those with brittle bones, such as the elderly. Osteoporosis can increase the odds of a wrist fracture. Women are more likely to suffer a Colles fracture than men. Patients with Colles fractures have typically been involved in falls, contact sports, or car accidents. Falling while riding a bike, skiing, horseback riding, or similar activities will commonly result in a Colles fracture.
Treatment and Prognosis
There are four main types of Colles fractures that may occur in an outstretched-hand impact. Once the accident occurs, a doctor will perform a scan of the wrist and determine the type of Colles fracture. From there, you can discuss treatment options.
The treatment method will vary depending on the type of fracture. Here are the four types:
- Extra-articular. This fracture does not affect your wrist joint.
- Intra-articular. The bone breaks into the wrist joint.
- The bone breaks into three or more pieces.
- Open fracture. The bone breaks through the skin.
Serious Colles fractures require surgery for successful treatment. A surgeon will need to insert plates and screws to hold the bones in place while they heal. In severe cases, surgeons may need to replace pieces of bone with metal parts. More minor fractures, where the pieces of bone do not move out of place, may require closed reduction to set the bones without surgery, and a splint to prevent the wrist from moving during recovery.
To fully regain use, feeling, and flexibility in your wrist, you will need to perform physical rehabilitation exercises. A doctor may recommend exercising your shoulder, elbow, and fingers to prevent them from losing function. Typically, a doctor will want you to begin exercising your fingers as soon as possible after placing a splint or cast. Recovery from a Colles fracture can take six weeks or longer. Severe fractures can take months or even up to a year to recover. In rare cases, patients suffer permanent pain and stiffness in their wrists. Work with a physical therapist to maximize your chances of a full and fast recovery.
What to Do After a Colles Fracture
Seek medical treatment for any pain you experience after a slip, trip, or fall accident. Even minor pain or bruising of the wrist could signify a Colles fracture. The faster you seek medical attention, the better your chances will be of recovery. Once you’re on the mend, talk to a personal injury attorney about the circumstances of your accident. You may be eligible to receive compensation.