A Colles' fracture is a fracture of the distal radius, most commonly caused by people falling forward onto a hard surface and breaking their fall with extended, outstretched hands - falling with wrists flexed would lead to a Smith's fracture. It usually occurs about an inch or two proximal to the radio-carpal joint with posterior and lateral displacement of the distal fragment resulting in the characteristic dinner fork like deformity. A fractured bone in a living person is treated by immobilization with a plaster or fiberglass cast, and in some cases surgical nails, screws, plates and wires to supplement a cast. ... The radius and ulna of the left forearm, posterior surface. ...

It is named after Abraham Colles (1773-1843), an Irish surgeon who first described this in 1814. Abraham Colles (1773-1843) was professor of anatomy and surgery in Dublin. ... Surgery Surgery is the medical specialty that treats diseases or injuries by operative manual and instrumental treatment. ... 1814 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...

Treatment of this fracture depends on the severity of the fracture. An undisplaced fracture may be treated with a cast alone. A fracture with mild angulation and displacement may require closed reduction. Significant angulation and deformity may require an open reduction and internal fixation.