How do physicians diagnose a "Colles fracture" of the radius (fracture near the distal epiphysis) using surface anatomy?
A) They palpate the styloid process of the radius and find that it has moved proximally from its normal position.
B) They extend the forearm, place three fingers in the lateral dimple, and ask the patient to rotate the hand as if turning a doorknob.
C) They ask the patient to flex the forearm against resistance and then look for any bulges that formed.
D) They ask the patient to extend the thumb of the affected hand and to point it posteriorly, and then they look for the formation of a triangle on the back of the hand.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Physicians can diagnose a Colles fracture of the radius by palpating the styloid process of the radius and finding that it has moved proximally from its normal position. This is due to the displacement of the distal fragment of the radius that occurs with this type of fracture.

How Do Physicians Diagnose a "Colles Fracture" of the Radius