Distal radius fracture Microchapters Home Patient Information Overview Historical Perspective Classification Pathophysiology Causes Differentiating Distal radius fracture from other Diseases Epidemiology and Demographics Risk Factors Screening Natural History, Complications and Prognosis Diagnosis History and Symptoms Physical Examination Laboratory Findings X Ray MRI Other Imaging Findings Other Diagnostic Studies Treatment Non-Operative Treatment Surgery Primary Prevention Secondary Prevention Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy Future or Investigational Therapies Case Studies Case #1 Distal radius fracture physical examination On the Web Most recent articles Most cited articles Review articles CME Programs Powerpoint slides Images American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Distal radius fracture physical examination All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov US National Guidelines Clearinghouse NICE Guidance FDA on Distal radius fracture physical examination CDC on Distal radius fracture physical examination Distal radius fracture physical examination in the news Blogs on Distal radius fracture physical examination Directions to Hospitals Treating Distal radius fracture Risk calculators and risk factors for Distal radius fracture physical examination 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] 1. ↑ Bienek T, Kusz D, Cielinski L (2006). "Peripheral nerve compression neuropathy after fractures of the distal radius". J Hand Surg Br. 31 (3): 256–60. doi:10.1016/j.jhsb.2005.09.021. PMID 16376003.CS1 maint: Multiple names: authors list (link) 2. ↑ Kleinman WB (2010). "Distal radius instability and stiffness: common complications of distal radius fractures". Hand Clin. 26 (2): 245–64. doi:10.1016/j.hcl.2010.01.004. PMID 20494751. 3. ↑ Walenkamp MM, Goslings JC, Beumer A, Haverlag R, Leenhouts PA, Verleisdonk EJ; et al. (2014). "Surgery versus conservative treatment in patients with type A distal radius fractures, a randomized controlled trial". BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 15: 90. doi:10.1186/1471-2474-15-90. PMC 4234244. PMID 24642190.CS1 maint: Explicit use of et al. (link) CS1 maint: Multiple names: authors list (link) 4. ↑ Hove, Leiv (2014). Distal radius fractures : current concepts. Heidelberg: Springer. ISBN 9783642546037. 5. ↑ Azar, Frederick (2017). Campbell's operative orthopaedics. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier. ISBN 9780323433808. Template:WH Template:WS