Management of redislocated Colles' fractures.

One question which often confronts the clinician is whether or not a Colles' fracture, shown to be redisplaced, should be subjected to renewed reduction. Earlier reports have shown a rather good correlation between the accuracy of reduction and the functional and cosmetic end result. Roentgenograms of 40 rereduced Colles' fractures are reviewed in order to answer the following questions. What are the chances of a lasting improvement resulting from a renewed reduction of a redislocated Colles' fracture? What is the most suitable time for renewed reduction? Permanent improvement was found in about 1/3 of all the case. To establish the most suitable time for rereduction the material was divided into early rereduced (1-6 days after primary reduction) and late rereduced (7-15 days) fractures. It was found that early rereduction led to lasting improvement of the fractures position in only 2 of the 15 cases. Late rereduction led to permanent improvement in 15 of 30 cases with respect to dorsal angulation and in 9 cases to radial compression. If a rereduction is to be performed, it should be done during the second week after primary reduction.