The interrelationship of past and present fractures of the forearm and hand.

We analyzed 366 consecutive patients treated for low-energy trauma fractures below the elbow who had a history of previous fractures below the elbow. Patients with previous metacarpal or finger fractures were liable to have subsequent hand fractures of the ipsilateral side. Healed Colles' fractures appeared to confer a relative protection against refracture. Only one fifth of subsequent Colles' fractures were ipsilateral to the previous injury.