Long-term Results of Conservative Treatment of Colles' Fracture: Relationship between Anatomical and Functional Results

Abstract

We reviewed 105 consecutive patients with unilateral Colles' fracture to identify factors that are predictive for poor functional outcome. All fractures were treated by closed reduction and cast immobilization, and followed for at least one year. Our results show that only the final dorsal angulation related to loss of flexion. In contrast to other reports, we did not identify a relationship between radial shortening and loss of grip strength or loss of range of motion. In addition, severity of initial displacement, fractures involving the radio-carpal joint or distal radio-ulnal joint and ulnar styloid fracture or its non-union did not affect functional outcome.