Three years after Colles fracture

Description: A prospective study was made over a three-year period of 900 consecutive unilateral Colles' fractures. The radiographic features at the time of fracture, after reduction and one week later were measured and correlated with grip strength and range of movement at three years. The most significant radiographic feature to influence the outcome was the presence of shortening of the radius one week after reduction of the fracture. Persistent dorsal tilt, radiocarpal joint involvement and ulnar styloid fracture were each associated with reduced range of movement, but had no effect on grip strength. Extension of the fracture into the distal radio-ulnar joint was associated with reduced grip strength but had no effect on range of movement. Radial tilt of the radial fragment did not correlate with any aspect of the result after three years.
Three years after Colles' fracture. A prospective review. Villar RN, Marsh D, Rushton N, Greatorex RA. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1987 Aug;69(4):635-8 Full text