Functional bracing of Colles' fractures: a prospective study of immobilization in supination vs. pronation

In a prospective study, 156 Colles' fractures were treated with a functional Orthoplast brace. Approximately one-half were braced in pronation and one-half in supination. One hundred and four were available for follow-up. Results were analyzed by type of fracture and position of immobilization (pronation versus supination). In evaluating the results, we found that: (1) displaced Colles' fractures without articular involvement (Type II) braced in supination yielded superior anatomic results when compared with those treated in pronation; (2) Type IV (displaced intra-articular) fractures braced in supination obtained a significantly higher percentage of excellent functional and anatomic results than those braced in pronation. In general, treatment with functional bracing yielded 90% excellent or good functional results.