Colles fracture

Bony irregularities

Slightly comminuted distal radius fracture with dorsal tilt.

Volar tilt

You can follow the steps from 1 to 4 to measure the volar tilt. Normally, the distal radius (line 3) is angulated 10-15° volarly on the lateral view compared to line 2, which is orthogonal to line 1. Here, this angulation is reversed dorsaly 35° (step 4: angle between line 2 and line 3).

Radial tilt

Angulation measurement

The radial tilt is about 20°.

Ulnar variance

The ulnar variance is positive at 5 mm (there is a shortening of the radius). The ulnar variance is considered positive when the ulna is longer than the radius.

Intact articular surface

The articular surface is smooth: the fracture appears extraarticular on these radiographs.