Radiological and Clinical Results After Closed Reduction in Colles'Fracture

Kim, Song Kon; Rha, Koung Wook; Park, Jong Ho

Abstract

Colles'fracture is a common injury encountered in emergency room. It is generally agreed that closed reduction of the fracture may not be difficult, but it is difficult to maintain the closed reduction. Twenty eight patients with Colles'fracture were treated with closed reduction and splinting method, followed up more than 1 year from January 1996 to August 1997 at the Korea university Ansan Hospital. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the radiological and functional results after closed reduction with splinting of Colles'fracture. The results of this study were as follows: 1) Of the 28 cases, type I were 3 cases, type II 16 cases, type III 9 cases by the universal classification. 2) Reduction loss was radial angle 2.25, volar angle 327, radial shortening 2.6mm. 3) The overall assessment were excellent in 8 (28.5%), good in 13 cases (46.5%), poor in 7 cases (25.0%) under the functional assessment of Garland and Werley and simple radiographic assessment of Scheck. 4) Complications were median nerve palsy 5 cases, osteoarthritis of wrist in 2 cases and hand stiffness in 2 cases. In conclusion, if there occured loss of reduction after closed reduction with splinting in elderly patients, closed reduction and internal fixation should be considered.