Barton Fracture

The Barton fracture consists of an intraarticular fracture of the dorsal margin of the distal radius. The fracture line is oblique and extends to the radiocarpal joint. The fracture results from a fall on an outstretched hand.
A PA radiograph of the wrist. There is irregularity of the distal radial margin. In addition, a fracture of the distal radius is appreciated.

B Lateral radiograph of the wrist. Neither fracture is well seen.

C Oblique radiograph of the wrist. This shows the fracture of the dorsal margin of the distal radius with some distraction between the major fracture fragments.

Links to online textbooks:

Wheeless' Orthopedics: discussion of the Barton fracture

Links to online cases:

University of North Florida

References:

Barton N: Sports injuries of the hand and wrist Br J Sports Med. 1997 Sep;31(3):191-6. [See related articles]
Zoubos AB, Babis GC, Korres DS, Pantazopoulos T: Surgical treatment of 35 volar Barton fractures. No need for routine decompression of the median nerve Acta Orthop Scand Suppl. 1997 Oct;275:65-8. [See related articles]

A	PA radiograph of the wrist. There is irregularity of the distal radial margin. In addition, a fracture of the distal radius is appreciated.
B	Lateral radiograph of the wrist. Neither fracture is well seen.
C	Oblique radiograph of the wrist. This shows the fracture of the dorsal margin of the distal radius with some distraction between the major fracture fragments.