There are no data in the literature concerning the outcome of Colles'
fracture beyond six years. One hundred consecutive patients with displ
aced Colles' fractures were reviewed ten years after the injury. Funct
ion, radiographic anatomy, osteoarthrosis, and reflex sympathetic dyst
rophy (algodystrophy) were all objectively assessed. By the time of th
is review, 35 patients had died. Eighty-five percent of those survivin
g had a satisfactory outcome. Forty-two percent had improved functiona
lly in ten years and 20% had deteriorated. Initial and ten-year radial
shortening and early finger stiffness significantly correlated with f
inal outcome. Dorsal angulation influenced early but not ten-year func
tion. Sixty-two percent of those with an unsatisfactory result had obj
ective features of reflex sympathetic dystrophy, compared with only 6%
of those with a satisfactory result. Osteoarthrosis was found in 37%,
but in only 4% was it associated with an unsatisfactory outcome.