There are several types of wrist fractures. Treatment options will depend upon the type of break and the degree of injury. Below is a discussion of the more common injuries to the wrist such as Chauffer’s Fracture, Colles’ Fracture, Smith’s Fracture, Barton’s Fracture, and Growth Plate Fracture.
What is a Chauffeur’s Fracture?
Chauffer’s Fracture is a type of broken wrist where the break occurs at a cone-shaped projection of bone (radial styloid process) at the outside end of the large bone of the forearm (distal radius). Chauffer’s fractures are named for an injury that chauffers sometimes suffered when crank-starting old cars. When the engine started if the chauffer failed to release the crank quickly, it could cause the handle of the crank to kick back forcing the hand backward and causing the bone of the hand to compress the wrist bone until the tip broke.
What Are Common Causes of Chauffer’s Fractures Today?
Chauffer’s fractures are caused by a forceful compression of the hand bone against the wrist bone such as falling and landing on the hand with an outstretched arm. Today, chauffer’s fractures are commonly caused by:
- Car accidents
- Sports injuries
- Slip and fall accidents
- Blunt force is applied to the outside of the wrist.
Symptoms
A Chauffeur’s fracture is generally quite painful when it occurs. Afterward, the common symptoms include pain that is usually more pronounced with movement of the wrist, swelling and bruising around the wrist and forearm, a large bump or strange knot protruding from the wrist, and an abnormal bend in the wrist. If you are experiencing these symptoms after a blow to the wrist, seek medical help.
Chauffer’s Fracture Treatment
Chauffeur’s Fracture has three main options for treatment depending upon the severity of the break. These may be done in combination depending on the break. The three treatment options are:
- A doctor may be able to place a cast on your arm to allow the bones to heal in the right place.
- External Fixation. In order to keep the bones in the right place while they heal, an external fixation device and/or pins may be used.
- Wrist Surgery. If the bones are displaced, surgery is often unavoidable in order to move the bones back to the right position.
Similar Wrist Injuries
Colles’ Fracture
A Colles’ Fracture is a break in the distal radius of the forearm where the wrist displaces upward from the bone (which is actually bent forward) leaving the wrist and hand to appear higher than the arm bone when stretched on a flat. This type of wrist fracture has similar symptoms to and the same type of treatment options as the Chauffer’s Fracture. Colles’ Fractures are commonly caused by a fall on an outstretched hand, particularly on a hard surface.
Smith’s Fracture
A Smith’s Fracture is essentially the same thing as a Colles’ Fracture except the bone in the distal radius is bent backward causing the wrist to displace lower than the arm. A Smith’s Fracture has the same causes as Colles’ Fracture and the same treatment options.
Barton’s Fracture
A Barton’s Fracture is an intra-articular break of the distal radius where it meets the articular disc proximally and the proximal row of carpal bones distally. The radiocarpal joint (wrist joint) is displaced in addition to the distal radius fracture. It also is commonly a product of falling with the wrist outstretched. Treatment typically requires an open reduction with internal fixation (a nice way of saying plates and screws).
Growth Plate Fracture of the Wrist
Growth Place Fractures can be caused by many things ranging from car accidents to sports injuries. They are not always recognized at the time of injury. Symptoms that may accompany them include swelling, deformity, warmth or tenderness at the plate location, and inability to move the wrist or to put pressure on it. Growth plate injuries should be evaluated by a medical professional because they can cause further issues if they do not heal properly.
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