title: Bipolar fixation of fractures of the distal end of the radius: a comparative study.
abstract: This paper reports a prospective study of the treatment of Colles' fractures, either by bipolar fixation or a forearm cast. Bipolar fixation reduced the degree of secondary displacement and no patient required a repeat manipulation. The functional results at 6 months, as assessed by the Scheck system, showed a strong trend in favour of bipolar fixation, but did not reach 95 per cent confidence limits. The technique of bipolar fixation proved to be safe and suitable for use in a busy district general hospital, without the necessity of elaborate equipment.
authors.affiliation: Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, Welwyn Garden City, Herts.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Pring
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Barber
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D001858:Bone Nails; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D003100:Colles' Fracture / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000628:therapy*; D014143:Traction