[Treatment of unstable fractures of the wrist using Hoffmann's external fixator. Study of a series of 40 cases].

Forty cases of unstable fracture of the distal end of the radius were treated by distraction and fixation using a Hoffmann external fixator. Most of the fractures were both epiphyseal and metaphyseal. They were followed up for between 6 months and 4 years. The anatomical and functional results were generally good; the range of movement of the wrist and its strength were satisfactory. However 4 instances of secondary collapse of the bone could probably have been avoided by a cancellous bone graft. Two severe algodystrophies were observed.