Colles and Friends: What You Should Tell the Orthopaedic Surgeon

Presentation Format: Educational poster presentation.

Purpose or Learning Objective: To (1) recognize the importance of correct assessment of wrist fractures; (2) describe the heterogeneous group of injuries related to wrist fractures; (3) illustrate the imaging features of the different wrist fractures in plain radiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); and (4) correlate the imaging findings for each fracture with the mechanism of injury, anatomy, and treatment implications.

Methods or Background: Wrist fractures are frequently seen in the everyday practice of a musculoskeletal radiologist. Imaging assessment of wrist fractures is an essential tool, in conjunction with a thorough clinical history and physical examination, to provide a definitive diagnosis and staging. The wrist is composed of osseous structures (distal radius and ulna, proximal and distal carpal row, and proximal metacarpal bones) and the extrinsic/intrinsic ligaments between them. The relationship between the anatomy and the mechanism of injury is critical to understand the different types of fractures usually seen in the wrist.

Results or Findings: This pictorial review addresses theoretical concepts and illustrates the radiologic findings of the various wrist fractures, with emphasis on plain radiography, CT, and MRI. Radiography is normally used for the initial evaluation and sometimes a definitive diagnosis. It is also the primary modality for the evaluation of healing. For staging and for a more detailed characterization of osseous or soft tissue injuries, CT and MRI are useful imaging techniques.

Conclusion: Imaging provides crucial information in the management of wrist fractures, determining the type and fracture staging (classification) and possible complications. Thus imaging is the basis for the correct management of wrist fractures.

Publication History

Article published online:
03 June 2021