Operative treatment of Smith-Goyrand fractures

Optimal treatment of Smith's fracture remains controversial. Conservative management of type III fractures is acceptable, but results are moderate for types I and II. This study includes 53 patients operated on during the past 10 years; six of type I, 17 of type II and 30 of type III. The functional end result was good in 32 cases (60.3 per cent) and excellent in nine cases (16.9 per cent). Functional results of types I, II and III were comparable when the excellent and good groups were added together. There was no correlation between anatomical result and functional outcome (kappa = 0.07), although a good anatomical result usually accompanied a good to excellent functional end result. Operative treatment of Smith's fractures have good functional end results in our hands, regardless of the fracture type.