Question

A dinner-fork deformity is classically seen in

• A. Monteggia fracture
• B. Fracture of the scaphoid
• C. Colles' fracture
• D. Smith fracture

Hint:

Dorsal tilt of the distal radius fragment creates the classic dinner-fork wrist profile.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks which wrist injury classically produces a dinner-fork shaped deformity of the wrist.

Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
A Colles' fracture is a break of the distal radius, a short distance above the wrist, where the broken lower fragment tilts backward (dorsally) and shifts backward relative to the forearm.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
This backward tilt and shift of the wrist and hand against the forearm gives the wrist a step like profile from the side, resembling the curve of a dinner or silver fork, so this sign is named after a Colles' fracture.
A Smith fracture is essentially the reverse injury, the lower fragment tilts forward (volar) instead of backward, and this produces a different sign called a garden spade deformity, not a dinner fork.
A Monteggia fracture involves a break of the upper ulna together with dislocation of the radial head at the elbow, which does not create a dinner-fork wrist profile.
A scaphoid fracture usually shows no obvious deformity at all, and instead presents with tenderness in the anatomical snuffbox at the base of the thumb.

Step 4: Final Answer:
The dinner-fork deformity is classic for a Colles' fracture.