  a colles' fracture, also raikar's fracture, is a fracture of the distal radius in the forearm with dorsal (posterior) and radial displacement of the wrist and hand.solomon et al., apley's system of orthopaedics and fractures, 9th ed., p.772 the fracture is sometimes referred to as a "dinner fork" or "bayonet" deformity due to the shape of the resultant forearm. colles' fractures are often seen in people with osteoporosis. == terminology == the term colles fracture is classically used to describe a fracture at the distal end of the radius, at its cortico-cancellous junction. however, now the term tends to be used loosely to describe any fracture of the distal radius, with or without involvement of the ulna, that has dorsal displacement of the fracture fragments. colles himself described it as a fracture that âtakes place at about an inch and a half (38mm) above the carpal extremity of the radiusâ and âthe carpus and the base of metacarpus appears to be thrown backwardâ.colles a 2006 on the fracture of the carpal extremity of the radius. edinb med surg j. 1814;10:181. clin orthop relat res 445:5-7. the classic colles fracture has the following characteristics: * transverse fracture of the radius * 2.5&nbsp;cm (0.98&nbsp;inches) proximal to the radio-carpal joint * dorsal displacement and dorsal angulation, together with radial tilt == causes == the fracture is most commonly caused by people falling onto a hard surface and breaking their fall with outstretched arms - falling with wrists flexed would lead to a smith's fracture. it can also be caused by overuse. originally it was described in elderly and/or post-menopausal women. it usually occurs about three to five centimetres proximal to the radio-carpal joint with posterior and lateral displacement of the distal fragment resulting in the characteristic "dinner fork" or "bayonet" like deformity. colles' fracture is a common fracture in people with osteoporosis, second only to vertebral fractures. == diagnosis == thumb|colles' fracture [[file:collesfracture.jpg|thumb|colles fracture on
Bone_fractures