Which distal radius fracture is characterized by dorsal angulation?

Which distal radius fracture is characterized by dorsal angulation?

• A. Smith fracture — ventral angulation
• B. Barton fracture — intra-articular fracture with carpal displacement
• C. Colles fracture — dorsal angulation of the distal radius
• D. Chauffeur (Hutchinson) fracture — radial shaft fracture

Answer: (C)

Distal radius fractures are distinguished by how the distal fragment tilts relative to the forearm. A Colles fracture is defined by dorsal angulation of the distal fragment, so the end of the radius tilts toward the back of the hand. This often produces a classic dinner-fork deformity on X-ray and is classically caused by a fall on an outstretched hand with the wrist extended. This dorsal tilt sets it apart from a Smith fracture, where the distal fragment angulates palmarly (ventrally) due to a fall on a flexed wrist. Other options describe different patterns: Barton fractures are intra-articular with displacement of the carpus, and Chauffeur (Hutchinson) fractures involve the radial styloid rather than a simple dorsal tilt of the distal radius. So, the distal radius fracture with dorsal angulation corresponds to a Colles fracture.

Distal radius fractures are distinguished by how the distal fragment tilts relative to the forearm. A Colles fracture is defined by dorsal angulation of the distal fragment, so the end of the radius tilts toward the back of the hand. This often produces a classic dinner-fork deformity on X-ray and is classically caused by a fall on an outstretched hand with the wrist extended.

This dorsal tilt sets it apart from a Smith fracture, where the distal fragment angulates palmarly (ventrally) due to a fall on a flexed wrist. Other options describe different patterns: Barton fractures are intra-articular with displacement of the carpus, and Chauffeur (Hutchinson) fractures involve the radial styloid rather than a simple dorsal tilt of the distal radius.

So, the distal radius fracture with dorsal angulation corresponds to a Colles fracture.