Which injury is associated with dinner fork deformity?

• A. Boxer's fracture
• B. Galeazzi fracture
• C. Colles fracture
• D. Smith's fracture

Answer: (C)

Dinner fork deformity reflects a distal radius fracture with dorsal angulation of the distal fragment after a fall on an outstretched hand. The wrist takes on a curved, fork-like shape on the lateral view because the distal radius tilts dorsally, which is the hallmark of a Colles fracture. This injury is most common in older adults with osteoporosis and results from an extension moment at the wrist.

This helps distinguish it from other fractures: a Smith's fracture has a volar (palmar) displacement of the distal fragment, a Boxer's fracture involves the neck of a metacarpal (usually the little finger) rather than the radius, and a Galeazzi fracture is a distal radius fracture with dislocation at the distal radioulnar joint.