When attempting to break a fall with the outstretched hand, the force of impact may cause a fracture of the main forearm bone, the radius, near the wrist. The fracture fragment adjacent to the wrist joint may become displaced backwards such that when the wrist is viewed from the side or on X-ray, a bend resembling the bend in a dinner fork is noticeable – dinner fork deformity.
This fracture with the dinner fork deformity, common in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, is known as Colles fracture; so named in honor of the Irish surgeon who described it.
Reference:
Roche CJ et al. Selections from the Buffet of Food Signs in Radiology. Radiographics. 2002, 22(6):1369-84. Go to reference
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X-ray of the wrist showing dinner fork deformity
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