Which bone is involved in a Colles fracture?

Which bone is involved in a Colles fracture?

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

Answer: (B)

A Colles fracture is a distal radius fracture of the forearm that occurs when a person falls onto an outstretched hand, causing the end of the radius near the wrist to break and tilt backward (dorsally). The bone involved is the radius, the forearm bone on the thumb side, which is why the radius is the correct focus. The ulna runs parallel on the opposite side of the forearm and can have its own injuries, but the classic Colles fracture centers on the distal radius. The tibia and fibula are leg bones and are not involved in this wrist injury.

A Colles fracture is a distal radius fracture of the forearm that occurs when a person falls onto an outstretched hand, causing the end of the radius near the wrist to break and tilt backward (dorsally). The bone involved is the radius, the forearm bone on the thumb side, which is why the radius is the correct focus. The ulna runs parallel on the opposite side of the forearm and can have its own injuries, but the classic Colles fracture centers on the distal radius. The tibia and fibula are leg bones and are not involved in this wrist injury.