Editing Colles' fracture (section)

== Diagnosis ==
[[File:Poignet Gauche suite a fracture type Pouteau Colles.jpg|thumb|Colles fracture of the left hand, with posterior displacement clearly visible]]
Diagnosis can be made upon interpretation of anteroposterior and lateral views alone.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|title=Orthopedic imaging : a practical approach|last=Adam|first=Greenspan|others=Beltran, Javier (Professor of radiology)|isbn=978-1451191301|edition=Sixth|location=Philadelphia|oclc=876669045|year = 2015}}</ref>

The classic Colles fracture has the following characteristics:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gpnotebook.co.uk/simplepage.cfm?ID=1584070660|title=Colles' fracture|last=GP Notebook|access-date=2009-02-21|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613225247/http://www.gpnotebook.co.uk/simplepage.cfm?ID=1584070660|archive-date=2011-06-13}}</ref>
* [[Transverse plane|Transverse]] fracture of the radius
* 2.5&nbsp;cm (0.98&nbsp;inches) [[Anatomical terms of location#Proximal and distal|proximal]] to the [[radio-carpal joint]]
* [[Dorsum (biology)|dorsal]] [[Displacement (orthopedic surgery)|displacement]] and dorsal angulation, together with radial tilt<ref name=":0">Solomon et al., Apley's system of orthopaedics and fractures, 9th ed., p.772</ref>

Other characteristics:<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=Essentials of musculoskeletal care|date=2010|publisher=American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons|others=Sarwark, John F.|isbn=9780892035793|location=Rosemont, Ill.|oclc=706805938}}</ref><ref name=":2" />
* Radial shortening
* Loss of ulnar inclination
* Radial angulation of the wrist
* Comminution at the fracture site
* Associated fracture of the [[Ulnar styloid process|ulnar styloid]] process in more than 60% of cases.

=== Classification ===
The term ''Colles fracture'' is classically used to describe a fracture at the distal end of the radius, at its cortico-cancellous junction. However, the term now tends to be used loosely to describe any fracture of the distal radius, with or without involvement of the [[ulna]], that has dorsal displacement of the fracture fragments. Colles himself described it as a fracture that “takes place at about an inch and a half (38mm) above the carpal extremity of the radius” and “the [[Carpal bones|carpus]] and the base of [[metacarpus]] appears to be thrown backward”.<ref>Colles A 2006 On the fracture of the carpal extremity of the radius. Edinb Med Surg J. 1814;10:181. Clin Orthop Relat Res 445:5-7.</ref> The fracture is sometimes referred to as a "[[dinner fork]]" or "[[bayonet]]" deformity due to the shape of the resultant forearm.{{cn|date=October 2020}}

Colles' fractures can be categorized according to several systems including [[Frykman classification|Frykman]], [[Gartland & Werley classification|Gartland & Werley]], [[Lidström classification|Lidström]], [[Nissen-Lie classification|Nissen-Lie]] and the [[Older's classification]]s.{{cn|date=August 2021}}