2025-04-21

The fracture of the base of the distal radius is usually accompanied by severe pain at the time of injury. The pain is not self-limiting, the swelling and / or bruising of the soft tissues in this area increases. The hand takes a characteristic position called bayonet (inverted fork). The mobility of the upper limb is limited, and any displacement may cause creaking of bone fragments within the trauma. This fracture is most often caused by a fall on a straightened limb with an extended wrist. Most people try to cushion a fall in this way, which absolutely exposes the upper limb to the full strength of the injury. A fracture can occur in any person without any existing bone pathologies. However, with age, the force needed to induce it decreases, which is related to the weakening of the cortical layer of the bone. This fracture is also one of the hallmark osteoporotic fractures. In younger people, it requires greater energy trauma, and then it often affects the articular area. The diagnosis of a fracture is usually not very difficult. Patients after trauma usually quickly go to emergency medicine centers, where they undergo an X-ray examination of the forearm bone, which leaves little doubt as to the place and presence of the injury. Each time, an X-ray image should be assessed by an orthopedic surgeon in order to further qualify the patient for appropriate treatment and to establish a therapeutic plan.