Closed rereduction of axial compression in Colles' fracture is hardly possible

Totally, 146 Colles' fractures that were displaced after the primary reduction were treated by closed rereduction and plaster immobilization. A permanently acceptable position was achieved in 11 of 27 cases, where dorsal angulation was the only malalignment. In fractures with both axial compression and dorsal angulation, both displacements improved to a permanently acceptable position in only 7 of 105 cases, and only the dorsal angle improved to an acceptable position in 26 cases. The axial compression was most difficult to correct. The chances of achieving a permanently acceptable position by rereduction are rather small in Colles' fracture with axial compression alone or combined with deviation of the dorsal angle. High age and the presence of dorsal comminution are further factors likely to worsen the prognosis.