An effective treatment of comminuted fractures of the distal radius.

One hundred cases of comminuted fracture of the distal radius were treated by a simple uniform method consisting of distraction by an external fixator for 3 weeks followed by functional bracing. During the application of the external fixator, autogenous cancellous bone chips were taken from the iliac crest and packed into the fracture site to realign the juxtaarticular fragments and to fill up the bone gap. Complications have been minimal. The results, after an average follow-up period of 20 months, taking into consideration subjective assessment of pain, objective measurement of wrist motion, and radiologic angles, have been excellent.