A Barton's fracture is an intra-articular fracture

Bone fracture

A bone fracture is a medical condition in which there is a break in the continuity of the bone...

 of the distal radius with dislocation of the radiocarpal joint.

There exist two types of Barton's fracture - dorsal and palmar, the latter being more common. The Barton's fracture is caused by a fall on an extended and pronated wrist increasing carpal compression force on the dorsal rim. Carpal displacement distinguishes this fracture from a Smith's

Smith's fracture

A Smith's fracture, also sometimes known as a reverse Colles' fracture is a fracture of the distal radius. It is caused by a direct blow to the dorsal forearm or falling onto flexed wrists, as opposed to a Colles' fracture which occurs as a result of falling onto wrists in extension...

 or a Colles' fracture

Colles' fracture

A Colles' fracture, also Colles fracture, is a fracture of the distal radius in the forearm with dorsal displacement of the wrist and hand. The fracture is sometimes referred to as a "dinner fork" or "bayonet" deformity due to the shape of the resultant forearm...

.
Treatment of this fracture is usually done by open reduction and internal fixation with a plate and screws, but occasionally the fracture can be treated conservatively.

Eponym

It is named after John Rhea Barton

John Rhea Barton

John Rhea Barton was an American orthopedic surgeon remembered for describing Barton's fracture.- Biography :...

(1794-1871), an American surgeon who first described this in 1838.

External links

• http://www.edu.rcsed.ac.uk/photoalbum/ph161.htm
• Radiographs of Barton's Fracture