Editing Colles' fracture (section)

== Causes ==
The fracture is most commonly caused by people falling onto a hard surface and breaking their fall with outstretched hand (FOOSH)–falling with [[wrist]]s flexed would lead to a [[Smith's fracture]]. Originally it was described in elderly and/or post-menopausal women. It usually occurs about three to five centimetres proximal to the [[radio-carpal joint]] with posterior and lateral displacement of the distal fragment resulting in the characteristic "dinner fork" or "bayonet" like deformity. Colles fracture is a common fracture in people with [[osteoporosis]], second only to [[vertebral]] fractures.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Owen |first1=R A |last2=Melton |first2=L J |last3=Johnson |first3=K A |last4=Ilstrup |first4=D M |last5=Riggs |first5=B L |date=June 1982 |title=Incidence of Colles' fracture in a North American community. |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.2105/ajph.72.6.605 |journal=American Journal of Public Health |volume=72 |issue=6 |pages=605–607 |doi=10.2105/ajph.72.6.605 |pmid=7072880 |pmc=1650126 |issn=0090-0036}}</ref>