AColles fractureis abreakin the radius bone, one of the forearm bones near the wrist. The fracture usually occurs if you fall onto your outstretched hand.Upon landing on your hand, the end of your radius bone breaks off and gets pushed toward your inner wrist. If you fall on your hand and the wrist is flexed, the radius may break and move toward the front of your wrist. This is called a Smith’s fracture.
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Common Signs of a Colles Fracture
If you have suffered trauma to your wrist or have fallen onto your hand or wrist, you may have a Colles fracture. Common signs and symptoms of a wrist fracture or Colles fracture include:
Initial Treatment
Because of the pain and swelling that occurs with a fracture, you may wish to put ice on your wrist and hand until you get to your healthcare provider or emergency room. TheR.I.C.E.principle foracute injuriescan help keep the swelling under control and the pain lessened until a medical professional can provide treatment.
The initial treatment for a Colles' fracture is to have the fracturereduced. This is where your healthcare provider situates the broken bone or bones in the correct position so that appropriate healing can take place. This is done manually if the broken bone is not moved too far out of position. If the fracture is severe, a surgical procedure called anopen reduction internal fixation (ORIF)may be necessary to reduce the fracture.
Once your wrist fracture has been reduced, it must be immobilized. This is done with a cast or a brace. You also may be required to wear your arm in a sling. You may need to visit a physical therapist to learn how to properly wear your sling. It is essential to keep the bones immobilized so that proper healing can take place. Be sure to speak with your healthcare provider if you have any questions about your cast, sling, or brace.
Physical Therapy After a Colles' Fracture
After about four to six weeks of immobilization, your healthcare provider may remove the cast and you may be referred to physical therapy. Some of the common impairments that your physical therapist may measure and evaluate includerange of motion (ROM), strength, pain, and swelling. If you had an ORIF to reduce the fracture, your physical therapist may assess your surgicalscar tissue. He or she may also analyze your hand, wrist, and arm function.
After your initial evaluation, yourphysical therapistwill work with you to develop an appropriate plan of care to help improve the impairments and functional limitations that you may have. Be sure to ask any questions if you have any. Your PT may prescribe aspecific exercise program after your Colles fracture.
After a few weeks of physical therapy, you should notice that your mobility and strength are improving while your pain and swelling are decreasing. You may be finding it easier to use your arm and hand to perform functional activities. While the fracture should be fully healed six to eight weeks after injury, you may still be limited for up to 12 to 16 weeks. Be sure to work closely with your healthcare provider and physical therapist to know what to expect.
A broken wrist or Colles fracture can be a painful and scary experience. It may be difficult for you to use your hand and arm to perform basic functions like dressing, feeding yourself, or brushing your hair. You may be unable to perform your job or engage in recreational activities. Your physical therapist can help you improve your functional mobility to be sure you can quickly and safely return to normal activity.
2 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Distal radius fractures (broken wrist).Matsuura Y, Rokkaku T, Kuniyoshi K, et al.Smith’s fracture generally occurs after falling on the palm of the hand.Journal Orthopaedic Research. 2017;35(11):2435-2441. doi:10.1002/jor.23556Additional ReadingHertling. , & Kessler, R. (2005). Management of common musculoskeletal disorders: physical therapy principles and methods. (4 ed.) Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
2 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Distal radius fractures (broken wrist).Matsuura Y, Rokkaku T, Kuniyoshi K, et al.Smith’s fracture generally occurs after falling on the palm of the hand.Journal Orthopaedic Research. 2017;35(11):2435-2441. doi:10.1002/jor.23556Additional ReadingHertling. , & Kessler, R. (2005). Management of common musculoskeletal disorders: physical therapy principles and methods. (4 ed.) Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Distal radius fractures (broken wrist).Matsuura Y, Rokkaku T, Kuniyoshi K, et al.Smith’s fracture generally occurs after falling on the palm of the hand.Journal Orthopaedic Research. 2017;35(11):2435-2441. doi:10.1002/jor.23556
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Distal radius fractures (broken wrist).
Matsuura Y, Rokkaku T, Kuniyoshi K, et al.Smith’s fracture generally occurs after falling on the palm of the hand.Journal Orthopaedic Research. 2017;35(11):2435-2441. doi:10.1002/jor.23556
Hertling. , & Kessler, R. (2005). Management of common musculoskeletal disorders: physical therapy principles and methods. (4 ed.) Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
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