Editing Distal radius fracture (section)

==Cause==
[[File:TFCC tear.jpg|thumb|Arthroscopic image of a central triangular fibrocartilage complex tear]]
The most common cause of this type of fracture is a fall on an outstretched hand from standing height, although some fractures will be due to high-energy injury. People who fall on the outstretched hand are usually fitter and have better reflexes when compared to those with elbow or [[humerus]] fractures. The characteristics of distal radius fractures are influenced by the position of the hand at the time of impact, the type of surface at point of contact, the speed of the impact, and the strength of the bone. Distal radius fractures typically occur with the wrist bent back from 60 to 90 degrees.<ref name="Court-Brown 2015"/> Radial styloid fracture would occur if the wrist is ulnar deviated and vice versa. If the wrist is bent back less, then proximal forearm fracture would occur, but if the bending back is more, then the carpal bones fracture would occur. With increased bending back, more force is required to produce a fracture. More force is required to produce a fracture in males than females. Risk of injury increases in those with [[osteoporosis]].<ref name="Court-Brown 2015"/>

Common injuries associated with distal radius fractures are [[interosseous intercarpal ligaments]] injuries, especially scapholunate (4.7% to 46% of cases) and lunotriquetral ligaments (12% to 34% of cases) injuries. There is an increased risk of interosseous intercarpal injury if the ulnar variance (the difference in height between the distal end of the ulna and the distal end of the radius) is more than 2mm and there is fracture into the wrist joint.<ref name="Court-Brown 2015"/> [[Triangular fibrocartilage]] complex (TFCC) injury occurs in 39% to 82% of cases. [[Ulnar styloid process]] fracture increases the risk of TFCC injury by a factor of 5:1. However, it is unclear whether intercarpal ligaments and triangular fibrocartilage injuries are associated with long term pain and disability for those who are affected.<ref name="Court-Brown 2015"/>