Definition

A wrist fracture is a break in one or more of the bones in the wrist. The wrist is made up of the two bones in the forearm (radius and ulna) and eight carpal bones. The carpal bones connect the end of the forearm bones with the bases of the fingers.

The two most common wrist fractures are:

Colles' fracture—a break near the end of the radius

• This fracture is common in older people. It is much less common in children and teens.

Colles' Fracture

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Scaphoid fracture—a break in the scaphoid (a bone on the thumb side of the wrist where it meets the radius)

• This fracture is most common in young, active people. The scaphoid bone is also sometimes called the navicular.

Scaphoid Fracture

© 2009 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.