What is the diagnosis for an elderly patient who fell on an outstretched hand, resulting in a distal radius fracture?

• A. Smith's fracture
• B. Colle's fracture
• C. Greenstick fracture
• D. Olecranon fracture

Answer: (B)

A distal radius fracture following a fall on an outstretched hand is commonly diagnosed as a Colles' fracture. This type of fracture is characterized by a break in the distal radius, typically occurring about 1 to 2 cm proximal to the wrist joint. In a Colles' fracture, the distal fragment is often displaced posteriorly, which results in a characteristic "dinner fork" or "bayonet" appearance of the wrist.

Elderly patients are particularly susceptible to this kind of fracture due to age-related bone density loss, making the bones more frail and prone to injury from falls. The mechanism of injury, where the patient falls and extends the arm to catch themselves, is typical in the presentation of a Colles' fracture.

Smith's fracture, while also affecting the distal radius, occurs when there is a fall on a flexed wrist, causing the distal fragment of the radius to be displaced anteriorly, which is not the case here. Greenstick fractures are incomplete fractures more commonly seen in children due to softer bones. Olecranon fractures involve the elbow and are unrelated to a wrist injury sustained from a fall on an outstretched hand. Therefore, the characteristics specific to the mechanism and presentation of the injury confirm that