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.