Barton’s Fracture

    • Barton’s Fracture of the Wrist
      Upper AP radiographs from a left wrist show a comminuted fracture of the distal radial metadiaphysis with intraarticular extension.
      The lower two images are a lateral projection, and show a comminuted fracture of the distal radial metadiaphysis with volar angulation consistent with a diagnosis of volar Barton’s fracture. Soft tissue edema is noted.
      Ashley Davidoff MD TheCommonVein.net Barton’s fracture 003
  • Barton’s fracture is a
  • type of wrist fracture that involves the
    • distal radius bone.
    • occurs near the wrist jo
  • named after John Rhea Barton, an American surgeon who first described the injury in 1838.
  • Caused by
    • fall on an outstretched hand or a
    • direct blow to the wrist.
    • more common in young adults
    • often associated with
      • sports injuries or
      • motor vehicle accidents.
  • Two types
    • dorsal
      • fracture line extends from the back (dorsal) of the radius bone into the wrist joint
    • volar
      • fracture line extends from the front (volar) of the radius bone
      • into the wrist joint.
  • Treatment of Barton’s fracture
    • depends on the severity and
    • type of the
      • Mild
        • a cast or splint may be used to immobilize the wrist while the bone heals.
      • In more severe cases,
        • surgery may be necessary to
          • realign the bone and
          • stabilize the joint.
      • Physical therapy may also be recommended to help regain strength and flexibility in the wrist.