Minor axial shortening of the radius affects outcome of Colles' fracture treatment.

Functional disability after a Colles' fracture was correlated to the degree of axial shortening of the radius measured at the site of distal radioulnar joint. According to the sum of demerit points, the functional end result was unsatisfactory (fair or poor) in 4% of the patients with an acceptable anatomic result, in 25% of the patients with grade 1 shortening (corresponding to a shortening of 3 to 5 mm), and in 31% of the patients with grade 2 shortening (shortening of more than 5 mm). The results suggest that even a minor axial shortening of the radius, without concomitant malalignment of the articular surface, carries an increased risk of permanent disability.

[1]  F W Werner,et al.  Ulnar variance determination. , 1982, The Journal of hand surgery.

[2]  W P Cooney,et al.  Complications of Colles' fractures. , 1980, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[3]  G. Frykman.  Fracture of the distal radius including sequelae-shoulder-hand-finger syndrome, disturbance in the distal radioulnar joint and impairment of nerve function , 1967 .

[4]  R. M. Peters,et al.  Traumatic rupture of the bronchus; a clinical and experimental study. , 1958, Annals of surgery.

[5]  H. D. Stewart,et al.  Factors affecting the outcome of Colles' fracture: an anatomical and functional study. , 1985, Injury.

[6]  A. Palmer,et al.  Biomechanics of the distal radioulnar joint. , 1984, Clinical orthopaedics and related research.

[7]  H. Aro,et al.  Late compression neuropathies after Colles' fractures. , 1988, Clinical orthopaedics and related research.

[8]  S. Solgaard.  Classification of distal radius fractures. , 1985, Acta orthopaedica Scandinavica.

[9]  J. Gartland,et al.  Evaluation of healed Colles' fractures. , 1951, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[10]  H. D. Stewart,et al.  External fixation or plaster for severely displaced comminuted Colles' fractures? A prospective study of anatomical and functional results. , 1989, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. British volume.

[11]  G. Frykman,et al.  Fracture of the distal radius including sequelae--shoulder-hand-finger syndrome, disturbance in the distal radio-ulnar joint and impairment of nerve function. A clinical and experimental study. , 1967, Acta orthopaedica Scandinavica.

[12]  A. Sarmiento,et al.  Colles' fractures. Functional bracing in supination. , 1975, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[13]  C. Melone.  Articular fractures of the distal radius. , 1984, The Orthopedic cllinics of North America.

[14]  R. Ericson,et al.  Colles' fracture. How should its displacement be measured and how should it be immobilized? , 1981, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.