Repair of the triangular ligament in Colles' fracture: No effect in a prospective randomized study

Abstract

We present a prospective and randomized study of two different treatments of extraarticular Colles' fracture with a fractured ulnar styloid. The study comprised 41 patients with 2 years' follow-up; 22 patients were treated with closed manipulation and an above-the-elbow plaster cast, whereas in 19 patients the avulsed ulnar styloid was transfixed and/or the triangular ligament was repaired after closed reduction of the fractured radius. In all the operated on patients, a complete rupture of the triangular ligament was found. Good reduction of all the fractures was achieved primarily according to the radiographic examination. At follow-up the alignment had deteriorated, with no difference between the two treatment groups. Neither did the findings in the wrist arthrograms differ between the two groups, nor did the subjective complaints of the patients. We conclude that repair of the ruptured triangular ligament in extraarticular fractures of the distal radius is not better than conventional treatment.