Treatment of unstable Colles' fractures by external fixation.

Twenty-six patients with unstable comminuted fracture of the distal part of the radius were treated with external fixation using Hoffmanns external fixation device. The average follow-up was 29 months. The anatomical results were 85% good or excellent, 10% fair and 5% poor. Functionally, 60% were good or excellent, 25% fair and 15% poor. There were three major complications and nine minor complications, the overall complication rate being 60%, though only 15% were major. The method is recommended when dealing with fractures of type VII and VIII, but not as a general routine.