External fixation versus percutaneous pinning for unstable Colles' fracture. Equal outcome in a randomized study of 60 patients.

60 patients > 20 years of age, with comminuted distal radial fractures of type Older 3 or 4, were randomly allocated to two treatment groups: external fixation a.m. Hoffmann or percutaneous Kirschner wire pinning combined with immobilization in a plaster cast. The groups were similar in age, gender, fracture type and dislocation. All patients were immobilized for 6 weeks and the outcome was assessed after 6 months. The groups showed similar results with respect to radiographic parameters and function. All fractures healed and no difference in complication rate was observed. We conclude that most unstable distal radial fractures, classified as Older's type 3 and 4, can be treated with percutaneous pinning and a plaster cast, which is simpler and cheaper than external fixation.

Early postoperative weight-bearing and muscle activity in patients who have a fracture of the ankle.

Fifty-six patients who had a displaced fracture of the ankle necessitating surgical fixation were randomly assigned to one of three postoperative treatment regimens: no plaster cast or weight-bearing, and active exercises of the ankle; a non-weight-bearing plaster cast; or a plaster walking cast for the first six postoperative weeks. At follow-up with a duration of as much as two years, there were no consistent differences in the clinical results between the three groups. The time lost from work and the proportion of excellent and good clinical results were also uninfluenced by the postoperative regimen. No adverse effects could be detected as a result of the patient's having walked before the syndesmosis screw had been removed. It was concluded that none of the three postoperative regimens has any advantage over the others in a patient who has a stable osteosynthesis of a fracture of the ankle.