21/10/2025

Colles Fractures – Causes, Recovery, and Claim Values

Colles fractures are among the most common wrist injuries, especially in high-impact situations like motorbike accidents and cycling accidents. The injury typically occurs when a person instinctively throws out their hand to break a fall. The force drives the wrist backwards, causing a break in the radius bone near the wrist joint.

What Does a Colles Fracture Feel Like?

Immediately after the injury, most people feel a sharp, intense pain in the wrist, often accompanied by swelling, bruising, and an obvious deformity. The wrist may look bent or twisted unnaturally. Movement becomes very limited, and any pressure on the area can be excruciating.

Why Prompt Medical Attention is Crucial

Colles fractures often require realignment of the bone (reduction), and in many cases, immobilisation in a cast or even surgery. Leaving the fracture untreated or delaying care can lead to long-term problems like misalignment, reduced mobility, or nerve damage. Early treatment gives the best chance for a full recovery.

Treatment and Rehabilitation

Treatment depends on the severity of the fracture. Milder cases may be treated with a plaster cast for 6–8 weeks. More complex breaks may require surgical fixation with metal pins, plates, or screws.

Rehabilitation includes physiotherapy to restore movement, strength, and function. Recovery can take several months, and some people are left with stiffness, aching in cold weather, or reduced grip strength.

Long-Term Outlook and Osteoarthritis Risk

Most Colles fractures heal fully, especially with early treatment. However, some people may experience ongoing symptoms, especially if the wrist was severely displaced or there was associated soft tissue damage. There is also an increased risk of developing post-traumatic osteoarthritis, particularly if the joint surface was involved in the fracture.

Example Case: Minor Ongoing Symptoms After 12 Months

A typical example might involve a Colles fracture to the left wrist only, sustained in a motorbike collision. The individual makes a good recovery after more than 12 months, with only occasional minor pain or stiffness.

According to the Judicial College Guidelines (17th Edition), this type of injury could be valued in the region of £7,420 to £12,630.

What Else Can Add to the Value of Your Claim?

Beyond the injury itself, several other losses can increase the value of your claim:

- Loss of earnings during recovery

- Treatment costs, including private physiotherapy

- Care and assistance, even informal help from family

- Travel costs to appointments

- Impact on hobbies or activities (e.g. sport, playing an instrument)

- Mental health impacts such as anxiety or depression

Links to Related Claims

We often see Colles fractures arise from cases involving:

- Motorbike accidents

- Cycling accidents

- Slips, trips and falls

- Accidents at work

These links can take you to more detailed information if your injury happened in one of these ways.

Think You Might Have a Claim?

If you’ve suffered a wrist fracture or a similar injury due to an accident that wasn’t your fault, it's worth getting expert advice. Chris Hutchinson at Inson Legal handles these cases on a No Win No Fee basis and can talk you through what your case might be worth and what evidence will help.

You don’t need to decide today. Just get in touch for an informal conversation. We’ll give you honest advice—no pressure, no jargon.