Older type IV colles fractures treated with intramedullary insertion of a Rush pin

Forty-four patients with 46 Older type IV Colles fractures, who had been treated with intramedullary insertion of a Rush pin were examined after a mean period of 16 months. At follow-up 28 (64%) of the patients had little or no pain, and four (9%) had pain almost all the time. Compared with the opposite side the median grip strength was 76%, flexion/extension was 81%, supination/pronation was 88%, and ulnar/radial movement was 73%. Three patients developed complications. The anatomical result was good or acceptable in 41 patients (93%) and poor in three (7%). According to Lucas and Sachtjen's modification of the Samiento scoring system the final results were excellent or good in 38 (86%) of the patients and fair in 5 (11%); in only one case was the result poor. The results are comparable with other methods of operative fixation. The procedure is relatively simple, and the complication rate is low.