What defines a Barton's fracture?

A Barton's fracture is specifically defined as an intra-articular fracture of the distal radius that is associated with dislocation of the carpal joint, particularly the wrist. In this type of fracture, the fracture line passes through the distal end of the radius, and it is often accompanied by the dislocation of the carpal bones, typically the lunate or the scaphoid, off the distal radius. This condition results from a fall on an outstretched hand, leading to significant instability at the wrist joint.

Understanding this definition is crucial for recognizing and managing the injury. This fracture type is significant in the context of complications that can arise if it is not treated correctly, such as chronic pain or loss of function.

The other options describe different types of wrist or forearm injuries but do not accurately represent a Barton's fracture. For instance, a fracture involving the CMC joint refers to injuries at the carpometacarpal region, while a fracture with avulsion of the styloid process concerns injuries associated with the ulnar styloid. Lastly, a fracture of the ulna with wrist dislocation refers to distinct injury patterns that do not involve the radius as in a Barton's fracture. Thus, the defining characteristic of an intra-articular