A Colles fracture typically involves which direction of the distal fragment's tilt?

A Colles fracture typically involves which direction of the distal fragment's tilt?

• A. Dorsal Tilt
• B. Volar Tilt
• C. Medial Tilt
• D. Lateral Tilt

Answer: (A)

When the distal radius breaks from a fall on an outstretched hand, the wrist is often extended at impact and the distal fragment is driven dorsally (toward the back of the hand). This causes the distal fragment to tilt backward on the lateral view, producing a dorsal (posterior) tilt. That dorsal angulation gives the classic “dinner fork” deformity seen with Colles fractures. If the mechanism were a fall on a flexed wrist, you’d expect a Smith fracture with a volar tilt of the distal fragment. Medial or lateral tilts aren’t the characteristic pattern for this injury.

When the distal radius breaks from a fall on an outstretched hand, the wrist is often extended at impact and the distal fragment is driven dorsally (toward the back of the hand). This causes the distal fragment to tilt backward on the lateral view, producing a dorsal (posterior) tilt. That dorsal angulation gives the classic “dinner fork” deformity seen with Colles fractures. If the mechanism were a fall on a flexed wrist, you’d expect a Smith fracture with a volar tilt of the distal fragment. Medial or lateral tilts aren’t the characteristic pattern for this injury.