[Significance of ulnar ligament injuries in typical radius fractures]

In 20 patients with COLLES' fractures, stress-films of the wrist demonstrated that without fracture of the ulnar styloid ruptures of the ulnar ligaments are possible, and lead to increased radial abduction of the carpus. This instability together with interposition of the ruptured soft tissue produces a tendency to radial subluxation of the hand, in spite of good alignment of the fragments. In conclusion, we suggest that in younger patients closed reduction should be stabilized by means of percutaneous Kirschner-wires and that the interposed soft tissue should be excised.