Smith fracture

Case contributed by Jan Frank Gerstenmaier
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

This patient slipped on ice and fell onto a flexed wrist.

Patient Data

Age: 35 years
Gender: Female

Radiographs of wrist

x-ray

There are intra-articular fractures of the right distal radius and ulna with significant shortening and volar angulation of the distal fracture fragments.

Case Discussion

Sometimes referred to as a reverse Barton fracture, this is an example of type II Smith fracture (intra-articular transverse fracture through the distal radius).

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