A new functional brace for the treatment of Colles' fractures.
A new prefabricated brace for the functional treatment of Colles' fractures has been developed. It is applied at fracture reduction and maintains fracture position by the application of three-point loading. In a prospective randomized clinical trial treating 85 displaced Colles' fractures, with blind independent follow-up, the brace gave better functional results than conventional plaster treatment. The improved function was apparent up to 6 months after injury. Finger function and pinch strength were also better in the brace-treated patients. Anatomical results were similar in the two groups.
Department of Orthopaedics, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Scotland, UK.
J S
JS
Moir
S R
SR
Murali
G P
GP
Ashcroft
D
D
Wardlaw
A B
AB
Matheson
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001915:Braces; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D003100:Colles' Fracture / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome