A Colles fracture involves which forearm bone?

A Colles fracture involves which forearm bone?

• A. Ulna
• B. Radius
• C. Tibia
• D. Fibia

Answer: (B)

Colles fracture is a distal radius fracture of the forearm caused by a fall on an outstretched hand, with the distal fragment displaced dorsally, giving the classic dinner-fork deformity. Because this injury centers on the distal end of the radius, the forearm bone involved is the radius. The tibia and fibula are leg bones, and while the ulna is the other forearm bone, Colles fractures specifically describe the radius at the wrist. In contrast, a Smith fracture also involves the radius but with palmar (volar) displacement.

Colles fracture is a distal radius fracture of the forearm caused by a fall on an outstretched hand, with the distal fragment displaced dorsally, giving the classic dinner-fork deformity. Because this injury centers on the distal end of the radius, the forearm bone involved is the radius. The tibia and fibula are leg bones, and while the ulna is the other forearm bone, Colles fractures specifically describe the radius at the wrist. In contrast, a Smith fracture also involves the radius but with palmar (volar) displacement.