In a study of 250 consecutive cases of Colles' fracture, analysis of
various radiographic criteria for displacement showed that only the
measurements for dorsal displacement and radial displacement were
independent of each other. These measurements suffice for the comparison of
series. The fractures randomly were divided into five equal groups,
immobilized according to five different techniques. The technique of
immobilization was found to be of subordinate importance for the final
results, which are determined by the original displacement and the success
of reduction.