Which fracture is an intra-articular fracture with a displaced radial articular fragment?

Which fracture is an intra-articular fracture with a displaced radial articular fragment?

• A. Barton's
• B. Rolando
• C. Bennett
• D. Tillaux

Answer: (A)

Barton’s fracture is a distal radius fracture that involves the radiocarpal joint surface with displacement of the articular fragment, causing dislocation of the radiocarpal joint. The fracture line goes through the articular surface and the fragment shifts, so the wrist joint alignment is lost. This specific combination—intra-articular involvement plus a displaced radial articular fragment leading to radiocarpal dislocation—defines Barton’s fracture. The other options fit different patterns: Rolando is a comminuted intra-articular fracture at the distal radius base with multiple fragments; Tillaux is a physeal (growth plate) fracture in adolescents that involves the articular surface but not a radiocarpal dislocation; Bennett is a fracture at the base of the first metacarpal with carpometacarpal joint subluxation, not a distal radius injury.

Barton’s fracture is a distal radius fracture that involves the radiocarpal joint surface with displacement of the articular fragment, causing dislocation of the radiocarpal joint. The fracture line goes through the articular surface and the fragment shifts, so the wrist joint alignment is lost. This specific combination—intra-articular involvement plus a displaced radial articular fragment leading to radiocarpal dislocation—defines Barton’s fracture.

The other options fit different patterns: Rolando is a comminuted intra-articular fracture at the distal radius base with multiple fragments; Tillaux is a physeal (growth plate) fracture in adolescents that involves the articular surface but not a radiocarpal dislocation; Bennett is a fracture at the base of the first metacarpal with carpometacarpal joint subluxation, not a distal radius injury.