Radial styloid fracture
Background
- Also referred to as a Hutchinson or Chauffeur's fracture
- Often accompanied by lunate dislocation
- Often associated with carpal instability (carpal ligaments insert on the radial styloid)
Clinical Features
- Wrist pain
- Common mechanisms include direct blow to or fall onto radial aspect of wrist[1]
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 |
Evaluation
- PA and lateral views of the wrist
Management
General Fracture Management
- Acute pain management
- Open fractures require immediate IV antibiotics and urgent surgical washout
- Neurovascular compromise from fracture requires emergent reduction and/or orthopedic intervention
- Consider risk for compartment syndrome
Acute Reduction
- Reduce displaced fractures to align attachments at the radial styloid process[1]
Immobilization
- Short arm splint; position wrist in mild flexion and ulnar deviation
Disposition
- Outpatient