External fixation of complex hand and wrist fractures.

From 1977 to 1980 fixation with an external fixateur was performed in 33 injuries of the upper extremity: ten fractures of the hand, 22 Colles' fractures, and one osteotomy for Madelung's deformity. Application was primary in 19 patients and after another type of fixation (cast or Kirschner wire) had failed to hold reduction in 14 patients. All ten hand fractures healed in 4 to 12 weeks, and the distal radius fractures united in 6 to 10 weeks. The external fixateur for unstable fractures of the hand and wrist with bone or soft-tissue loss provides rigid skeletal stabilization, accessibility for wound care, and early joint mobilization.