Do Kirschner wires maintain reduction of displaced Colles' fractures?

Fifty-three patients underwent closed reduction and longitudinal k-wiring of displaced Colles' fractures and were reviewed after a mean of 26 months. Radiographs taken at the time of injury, after reduction and k-wiring, and at fracture union were compared for radial shortening and dorsal angulation. Manipulation significantly improved fracture position (P<0.001). Dorsal angulation was successfully corrected by manipulation in 98%, and this position was maintained to fracture union in all cases. Seventy-three percentage of fractures manipulated for radial shortening >2 mm were adequately reduced, but 41% of these fractures subsequently lost position to malunite. In this group of patients, the mean radial shortening between reduction and fracture union was 1.6 mm. This did not correlate with Frykman Class or radial shortening at injury. Closed reduction and k-wire stabilisation is an attractive technique because it is relatively non-invasive compared with plating or external fixation. However, a degree of radial shortening between reduction and fracture union must be anticipated. Fractures reduced inadequately to allow for this loss of radial length, are more likely to malunite. This may compromise functional outcome.