Colles’ wrist fracture

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Colles fracture

Transverse wrist fracture; Dinner-fork deformity of the wrist

• Reassure the injured person.
• Place the hand and wrist in a splint in a normal resting position.
  • Place a rigid splint on the underside of the wrist, hand, and forearm.
  • Place a padded object such as a sock, wadded cloth, or rolled elastic bandage in the palm.
  • Wrap the wrist, hand, splint, and padded object. Do not wrap too tightly, and keep the fingertips uncovered.
• Elevate the wrist or place it in a sling.
• Use an ice pack over the wrist to help reduce swelling.
• Bring the person to an urgent care center or emergency medical facility.
• Do NOT attempt to move or straighten the wrist or hand.

The hand or the wrist should not be moved or straightened.

Review Date: 07/28/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, Unviersity of Washington School of Medicine; and C. Benjamin Ma, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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