MSK: Smith's Fracture: Free MSRA Podcast

⚕️ FREE MSRA PODCAST – Smith’s Fracture🎧 A clear, high-yield breakdown of this reverse Colles’ wrist fracture with volar displacement – perfect for exam prep and real-life MSK cases.🧠 Key Learning Points📌 Definition• A distal radius fracture with volar (anterior/palmar) displacement of the distal fragment• Also known as a “reverse Colles’ fracture” due to the opposite displacement direction📌 Causes & Risk Factors• Fall onto a flexed wrist – the most common cause• Direct trauma to the forearm or wrist• High-impact injuries (e.g. RTAs)• Osteoporosis or bone fragility• Balance problems increasing fall risk🧠 Mnemonic: FALLS – Flexed wrist, Age (elderly), Low bone density, Loss of balance, Sports injury📌 Pathophysiology• Transverse or oblique fracture of distal radius• Distal bone fragment shifts anteriorly• Leads to classic "garden spade" deformity📌 Symptoms• Pain and swelling at wrist• Volar tilt of the hand – wrist appears bent forward• Reduced wrist and hand function• Bruising and tenderness over fracture site📌 Differential Diagnosis• Colles’ fracture (dorsal displacement)• Scaphoid fracture (snuffbox tenderness)• Ulnar styloid fracture• Wrist dislocation🧠 Tip: Look at direction of displacement on lateral x-ray to differentiate📌 Diagnosis• X-ray (AP + lateral views) → confirms volar displacement• CT/MRI for complex or intra-articular fractures or if ligament damage suspected📌 Management• Stable/Non-displaced fractures: – Conservative: cast or splint immobilisation• Displaced/Unstable or intra-articular: – Open Reduction + Internal Fixation (ORIF)• All cases need analgesia and physiotherapy for rehab🧠 Important: Early physio = better outcome📌 Complications• Malunion – incorrect healing• Nonunion – failure to heal• Median nerve injury• Joint stiffness• Post-traumatic osteoarthritis• Chronic pain if poorly managed📌 Prognosis• Good with early, appropriate treatment• Rehabilitation is crucial for optimal recovery• Outcomes vary depending on age, fracture type, and treatment compliance📎 More MSRA Resources for Smith’s Fracture📝 Revision Notes:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/smiths-fracture-revision-notes/🧠 Flashcards:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/smiths-fracture-flashcards/💬 Accordion Q&A Notes:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/smiths-fracture-accordion-qa-notes/🚀 Rapid Quiz:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/smiths-fracture-rapid-quiz/https://www.passthemsra.com/quizzes/smiths-fracture/🎓 Full Course:https://www.passthemsra.com/courses/msk-for-the-msra/Hashtags#MSRA #MSRARevision #MSRATextbook #MSRAQuiz #MSRAQuestionBank #MSRAFlashcards #MSRAQ&ANotes #MSRAAccordions #MultiSpecialityRecruitmentAssessment #MSRAOnlineRevision #MSRARevisionWebsite #SmithsFracture #MSK #ReverseCollesFracture