Comminuted Colles' fractures: a prospective trial of management

Patients suffering from comminuted fractures of the lower end of the radius were treated by one of two protocols and followed for 6 months. One group was treated by a regime of percutaneous wiring based on the technique described by DePalma. This was compared with the results obtained from the conventional treatment of manipulation and application of plaster of Paris for similar injuries. Final function was found to be closely related to anatomical results and this was obtained earlier and with greater predictability in the wired group. There were statistically significant differences between the two groups at 6 months in extension (P less than 0.001), ulnar deviation (P greater than 0.05), grip strength (P less than 0.001), radial angle (P less than 0.0001), radial length (P less than 0.0001), and dorsal/volar angle (P greater than 0.0001). Using a modified McBride's system of scoring, the results were found to be directly correlated to the anatomical findings at the end of 6 months.