DRESSING FOR BROKEN FOREARM (Scudder).
Proper position of arm in sling; note that hand is unsupported with palm turned inward and thumb uppermost.
Four weeks are required to secure firm union after this fracture. When the fracture is compound the same treatment should be employed as described under Compound Fracture of Leg, p. [116].
FRACTURE OF THE WRIST; COLLES'S FRACTURE.—This is a break of the lower end of the bone on the thumb side of the wrist, and much the larger bone in this part of the forearm. The accident happens when a person falls and strikes on the palm of the hand; it is more common in elderly people. A peculiar deformity results. A hump or swelling appears on the back of the wrist, and a deep crease is seen just above the hand in front. The whole hand is also displaced at the wrist toward the thumb side.
Fig. 18.
A BROKEN WRIST (Scudder).
Characteristic appearance of a "Colles's fracture"; note backward displacement of hand at wrist; also fork-shaped deformity.
It is not usual to be able to detect abnormal motion in the case of this fracture, or to hear any grating sound on manipulating the part, as the ends of the fragments are generally so jammed together that it is necessary to secure a surgeon as soon as possible to pull them apart under ether, in order to remedy the existing "silver-fork" deformity. (See Figs. [18], [19], [20], [21], [22].)