The dinner fork deformity is most characteristic of which fracture?

The dinner fork deformity is most characteristic of which fracture?

• A. Colles Fracture
• B. Smith Fracture
• C. Barton's Fracture
• D. Chauffeur's Fracture

Answer: (A)

The dinner fork deformity is produced by dorsal (posterior) displacement of the distal radius after a fall on an outstretched hand, causing the distal fragment to tilt upward and shorten. This dorsal angulation gives the characteristic dinner fork-shaped appearance on the wrist, which is classic for a Colles fracture. Other injuries involve different directions or patterns of displacement: a Smith fracture has volar (palmar) displacement of the distal fragment, Barton's fracture is an intra-articular distal radius fracture with radiocarpal involvement, and a Chauffeur’s fracture is a fracture of the radial styloid.

The dinner fork deformity is produced by dorsal (posterior) displacement of the distal radius after a fall on an outstretched hand, causing the distal fragment to tilt upward and shorten. This dorsal angulation gives the characteristic dinner fork-shaped appearance on the wrist, which is classic for a Colles fracture. Other injuries involve different directions or patterns of displacement: a Smith fracture has volar (palmar) displacement of the distal fragment, Barton's fracture is an intra-articular distal radius fracture with radiocarpal involvement, and a Chauffeur’s fracture is a fracture of the radial styloid.