Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Rohan A. Bhimani, M.B.B.S., D.N.B., M.Ch.[2]

Overview[edit | edit source]

Patients with distal radius fracture usually appears well. Physical examination of patients with distal radius fracture is usually remarkable for swelling, tenderness, bruises, ecchymosis, deformity and restricted range of motion of the wrist.

Physical Examination[edit | edit source]

Physical examination of patients with distal radius fracture is usually remarkable for swelling, tenderness, bruises, ecchymosis, deformity and restricted range of motion of the wrist.

Deformity following distal radius fracture. By Curtishand - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4812004

Appearance of the Patient[edit | edit source]

• Patients with distal radius fracture usually appears well.

Vital Signs[edit | edit source]

• Weak pulse may be seen when associated with polytrauma.
• Low blood pressure with normal pulse pressure may be present due to compound fracture with blood loss.

Skin[edit | edit source]

• Skin examination of patients with distal radius fracture includes:
  • Bruises
  • Ecchymosis

HEENT[edit | edit source]

• HEENT examination of patients with distal radius fracture is usually normal.

Neck[edit | edit source]

• Neck examination of patients with distal radius fracture is normal.

Lungs[edit | edit source]

• Pulmonary examination of patients with distal radius fracture is usually normal.

Heart[edit | edit source]

• Cardiovascular examination of patients with distal radius fracture is usually normal.

Abdomen[edit | edit source]

• Abdominal examination of patients with distal radius fracture is usually normal.

Back[edit | edit source]

• Back examination of patients with distal radius fracture is usually normal.

Genitourinary[edit | edit source]

• Genitourinary examination of patients with distal radius fracture is usually normal.

Neuromuscular[edit | edit source]

• Neuromuscular examination of patients with distal radius fracture is usually normal.
• However, some patients may develop neuropraxia of the superficial branch of the radial nerve (Wartenberg's syndrome) and median nerve resulting in decreased sensation of thumb, index and middle finger.

Extremities[edit | edit source]

Dinner fork deformity following distal radius fracture. By Todd, Robert Bentley, 1809-1860 - Image from page 732 of "The cyclopædia of anatomy and physiology" (1849)https://www.flickr.com/photos/internetarchivebookimages/20635126888/in/photolist-c91vG3-cpsGi1-xrsqiN/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=63779916

• Wrist examination of patients with distal radius fracture include:^{[1][2][3][4][5]}
  • Swelling
  • Tenderness
  • Dinner fork deformity
    • Dinner fork deformity of the wrist is caused by dorsal displacement of the carpal bones (Colle's fracture)
    • Reverse deformity is seen in volar angulation (Smith's fracture)
  • The wrist may be radially deviated due to shortening of the radius bone
  • Restricted range of motion
  • Tingling and decreased sensation of thumb, index and middle finger
  • Decreased sensation over the thenar eminence can be due to median nerve injury
  • Decreased grip and forearm strength
  • Acute carpal tunnel syndrome

References[edit | edit source]

Template:WH Template:WS