UPSC-CMS 2010 — Orthopaedics

Q: What is the most common injury sustained due to fall on outstretched hand by a person aged 65 years?

Colles' fracture. ***Colles' fracture*** - A **Colles' fracture** is a common injury in older adults, particularly post-menopausal women, due to **osteoporosis** weakening the bones. - It involves a **distal radius fracture** with dorsal displacement of the distal fragment, occurring typically from a fall onto an **outstretched hand**. *Shoulder dislocation* - While shoulder dislocations can occur from falls, they are less common than wrist fractures in the elderly following a fall on an outstretched hand, especially given the prevalence of **osteoporosis**. - A shoulder dislocation typically involves the **humeral head** coming out of the glenoid fossa. *Fracture of metacarpals* - Metacarpal fractures can result from direct trauma to the hand or a fall, but they are generally less frequent than **distal radius fractures** in the elderly after a fall on an outstretched hand. - These fractures involve the bones within the hand itself and are often caused by **punching injuries** or direct impact. *Supracondylar fracture* - **Supracondylar fractures** are more common in children due to their bone structure and are typically associated with falls on an outstretched hand. - In adults, particularly the elderly, this type of fracture is much less common than a **Colles' fracture** following such a mechanism. [Practice more Orthopaedics PYQs on OnCourse]

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What is the most common injury sustained due to fall on outstretched hand by a person aged 65 years?