What is a Colles’ Fracture? A Colles' fracture -- or distal radius fracture -- is often called a ''broken wrist.'' In France it’s sometimes called a “Pouteau-Colles” fracture.

AP (a), oblique (b) and lateral (c) left elbow X-rays demonstrating radiocapitellar subluxation with radial head deformity, proximal ulnar fracture malunion with intact hardware and mild ulno ...

A Colles’ wrist fracture occurs when the radius bone in your forearm breaks. It’s also known as a distal radius fracture, transverse wrist fracture, or a dinner-fork deformity of the wrist.