Barton's fracture

Background

• Dorsal or volar rim fracture of the distal radius
• Often is fracture-dislocation or subluxation because carpus is displaced in direction of the fracture

Imaging

• PA
  • Comminuted fracture of distal radial metaphysis
• Lateral
  • Intra-articular fracture of volar or dorsal rim of radius

Differential Diagnosis

Distal radius fractures

• Colles' fracture
• Smith's fracture
• Barton's fracture
• Radial styloid fracture
• Distal radioulnar joint disruption

Distal radius fracture eponyms

Eponyms	Description
Barton's	Fracture-dislocation of radiocarpal joint (with intra-articular fracture involving the volar or dorsal lip)
Chauffer's	Fracture of radial styloid
Colles'	Dorsally displaced, extra-articular fracture
Die-punch	Depressed fracture of the lunate fossa (articular surface)
Smith's	Volar displaced, extra-articular fracture

Management

• Minimally displaced: sugar tong splint and ortho referral
• Unstable requires ORIF
  • >50% of radial articular surface
  • Accompanying carpal subluxation

See Also

• Distal radius fractures

Source

• Tintinalli