A randomized clinical study of functional bracing in supination (FUSU) versus dorsal plaster immobilization (DPI) was conducted in 145 patients with Colles' fracture. A dynamic wrist unit was developed and used in 68 patients allocated for FUSU. The anatomical end result after FUSU was excellent or good in 80% of the patients versus 64% after DPI (P less than 0.05), in particular due to less dorsal angulation (P less than 0.001) and less radial shortening. The functional recovery was equal after 7 weeks and 3 months. At 6 months, 92% satisfactory results were achieved after FUSU versus 86% after DPI (P less than 0.05). Both anatomical and functional benefits were recorded in Frykman type V, VI, and VIII fractures and in the group of displaced intra-articular fractures. The functional benefit from FUSU is suggested primarily to be secondary to decreased fracture redislocation.

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A comparison of the radiographical and functional results after displaced distal radius fractures in 41 patients treated by external fixation (EF), 36 patients treated by functional bracing in supination (FUSU), and 49 patients treated by dorsal plaster immobilization (DPI) was performed. The rate of initial complications after EF was 53%, compared with 22% after FUSU and 14% after DPI. The radiographical result after EF was significantly better than after nonoperative treatment, but the functional result after 3 and 6 months demonstrated no significant difference between the three series. Consequently, EF and FUSU do not restore wrist function faster than conventional plaster treatment (DPI), but EF improves the radiographical result, though the rate of complications is higher.