Clodronate increases mineralization of callus after Colles' fracture: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, prospective trial in 32 patients.

In a randomized study of 32 postmenopausal women with a Colles' fracture, we studied whether 8 weeks of treatment with clodronate, a bisphosphonate, could prevent posttraumatic osteopenia. The patients were treated with a plaster splint for 4 weeks. The bone mineral density (BMD) of the forearm bones was measured at 2 levels with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) 2, 6 and 12 months after the fracture. At 2 months, in the clodronate group, there was a median 53% higher BMD in the fracture region of the radius than in the uninjured radius. In the placebo group, we found a 33% higher BMD in the fractured radius at that level than in the uninjured radius. This increase in BMD of the fractured radius, caused by clodronate, was statistically significant. At 12 months, the BMD of the fracture side had been reduced by 17% and 12%, respectively, at that time it was still significantly increased in the clodronate group alone. In the ulna at the same level, we found no significant changes in BMD in either group on either side at any time. At 2 months, at the level between the distal and middle thirds, in the fractured radius, the median BMD was 7% lower in the clodronate group and 6% lower in the placebo group than in the uninjured radius. Although the reduction in BMD at that level was significant, there was no difference between the two treatment groups. At this level, the ulna on the fractured side showed a similar pattern, with a 5% lower BMD in the clodronate group and a 4% lower BMD in the placebo group. This osteopenia showed a small but significant progression on the fractured side after 6 and 12 months.

Atraumatic shoulder instability. Discussion of classification and results after capsular imbrication.

This study consists of 27 shoulders in 24 patients whose atraumatic shoulder instability was treated with the imbrication procedure described by Rockwood. Follow-up after 2 years or more showed the following results: 37% excellent, 30% good, 15% fair and 18% poor (Rowe score). No statistically significant differences in the results were observed between the dominant and non-dominant arm, nor in post-operative return to sports activities. Those with voluntary instability had more laxity at follow-up and tended to have poorer results. Those with unidirectional laxity had only good or excellent results and showed no post-operative laxity. We found no other reliable indication of the results of surgery. The difficulties of classifying shoulder instability by such factors as trauma, laxity and direction of instability are discussed. Overall, we consider capsular imbrication to be a good treatment for involuntary atraumatic shoulder instability.

No effects of piroxicam on osteopenia and recovery after Colles' fracture. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, prospective trial.

In a randomized double-blind study involving 42 postmenopausal women with a displaced Colles' fracture, we investigated whether piroxicam, a nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drug, can reduce posttraumatic osteopenia and improve the rate of recovery. In an earlier study [3] we found a bone-sparing effect caused by piroxicam after external fixation of the rabbit hindleg. The patients were treated with a below-elbow paster slab for 4 weeks after the reduction. The bone mineral content of the forearm bones was measured with a single-photon absorptiometer 8 weeks after the fracture. There was a mean 7% bone mineral decrease in the radius and 5% in the ulna among the patients treated with piroxicam versus 10% in the radius and 7% in the ulna in the placebo group. However, this difference was not significant. Piroxicam did not decrease the rate of fracture healing. The patients who received piroxicam had significantly less pain during plaster treatment, but there was no difference in the rate of functional recovery between the groups.

Computer-assisted prediction of the instability of Colles' fractures.

Many Colles' fractures are unstable and have a tendency to redisplace when immobilised in plaster. In an earlier study, we found a high correlation between several parameters from the initial radiographs in 267 patients and the anatomical end results. The predictive power of a new computer programme designed from the data of these patients was investigated in a further group of 107 Colles' fractures. Prediction of the final radiological position was good, especially in the least and moderately displaced fractures. We have found that the initial radial shortening, the type of fracture according to Lidström's classification, and the age of the patients have the greatest value in predicting whether a Colles' fracture will displace to an unacceptable degree.

Bone mineral loss after Colles' fracture. Plaster case and external fixation equivalent.

The bone mineral content of the radius and ulna was analyzed in 31 postmenopausal women with displaced Colles' fractures. Sixteen fractures were treated with a below-the-elbow plaster case and 15 with primary external fixation. The bone mineral content of the forearm bones was measured with a photon absorptiometer 9 (6-24) months later. There was a mean 15 percent mineral decrease in the radius, but no difference between the two treatment groups. The decrease did not correlate with the age of the patient, nor was there any correlation with grip strength or range of wrist motion. The more severe fractures, according to the Frykman classification, had a more pronounced mineral loss than the simpler fractures.

External fixation or plaster cast for severely displaced Colles' fractures? Prospective 1-year study of 46 patients.

In a prospective randomized study of 47 severely displaced Colles' fractures, 23 had external fixation and 24 had a dorsal plaster cast. Five fractures in the plaster-cast group redislocated and were externally fixed at rereduction after the 11-day follow-up. Three patients in the external-fixation group had a noncomplicated pin-tract infection, and 1 patient had a transient sensory disturbance arising from the cutaneous branch of the superficial radial nerve. After 1 year, the patients allocated to primary external fixation had a better radiographic and functional end result; according to Lidström's grading, 19/22 were excellent or good after external fixation as compared with 12/19 after plaster-cast treatment.

Regional anesthesia preferable for Colles' fracture. Controlled comparison with local anesthesia.

In a prospective randomized study of 99 displaced Colles' fractures, regional intravenous block was compared with local anesthesia in the fracture hematoma. Patients treated with regional intravenous block had less pain during the manipulation of the fracture and better grip strength at the 6-month follow-up. The anatomic end result (dorsal angulation) was better after regional anesthesia.

Prediction of instability of Colles' fractures.

The tendency of 267 consecutive Colles' fractures to dislocate during plaster-cast treatment was correlated with several parameters measured from the initial radiographs. Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that radial axial shortening had the greatest prognostic power. The age of the patient and Lidström's class provided additional prognostic information. Initial radial axial shortening of 5 mm or more generally indicated an unfavorable anatomic end result.

Fixation not needed for undisplaced Colles' fracture.

A series of 68 undisplaced or minimally displaced Colles' fractures was randomized into two groups undergoing treatment with either a plaster cast or an elastic bandage. Pain, function, grip strength, and range of motion were evaluated 1 year later. There was a difference in the functional outcome in favor of the patients treated with an elastic bandage, who did not have more fracture redislocations than those treated with a plaster cast.

Late displacement of Colles' fractures.

A prospective radiological study was performed on 170 Colles' fractures which were reduced and treated in plaster. Twenty-nine fractures, which displaced and which needed a further reduction and external fixation, were excluded. The mean length of the radius decreased during plaster treatment to the same position as before the initial reduction. Radial angular compression also increased significantly during treatment. Among the seventeen fractures which were malunited, twelve had definitely displaced after the 11th day.