External fixation in the treatment of fractures of the distal forearm.

The authors present 12 cases of fractures of the lower forearm treated by Hoffmann external fixation. They discuss the indications for this method and its advantages over internal fixation and closed treatment by manipulation and plaster. The advantages are: simplicity and rapidity of treatment, good toleration of the instrumentation, constant control of the soft tissues, almost bloodless technique, complete freedom of joints not involved in the fracture, and the ability to adjust the position of the wrist and hand as union progresses so as to gradually restore the physiological position in the later stages.