70 fractures of Colles type and intra-articular fractures except Barton type were included in this study. The exclusion criteria were pediatric fractures, additional procedures like external ﬁxation and non-availability of satisfactory and comparable radiographs for measurement. Both bicortical K wire ﬁxations with radial or dorsal entry points and Kapandji wire ﬁxations were included in this study. All operations were carried out by consultants or registrars with appropriate experience. Fractures were ﬁxed within 1– 21 days (mean 4.78 days). K wires were removed in out- patient clinic usually between 4 and 6 weeks depending on the preference of the consultant surgeon in charge of the patient. The fractures were classiﬁed using AO classiﬁca- tion. The loss of palmar tilt, radial tilt and ulnar variance were measured from radiographs done prior to wire removal and later in follow up (3–4 months after injury and at least 1 month after wire removal). Only patients who were reviewed at a later date in clinic with a radiograph were included in this study. Out of a total 113 patients, 54 had to be excluded based on these criteria. The variables studied were age, sex, fracture type (AO), presence of ulnar styloid fracture and period of wire sta- bilization. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 10.0 software (SPSS Inc. Chicago, IL, USA). P value \0.05 was considered to be signiﬁcant for the purpose of this study. Results Fifty-nine patients were included in this study of which 39 (66%) were females and 20(34%) males. Mean age of patients was 56 years (range 18–86 years with a median age of 59 years). We divided patients into two age groups (\65 years and [or = 65 years). 56% were \65 years old and 44% were C65. Age and sex (Table 1) had no inﬂu- ence on the loss of radiological parameters after wire removal. Fractures were classiﬁed using AO system. No patients were in class B, due to different treatment protocol fol- lowed in these. AO Class of the fracture had no inﬂuence on loss of angles after wire removal (Table 2). Wires were J Orthopaed Traumatol (2008) 9:69–72 mostly removed in outpatients after 5 or 6 weeks with some at 4 and some after 6 weeks. The duration of ﬁxation had no association with the radiological outcome (Table 3). Discussion Abraham Colles (1814) [6] ﬁrst described Colles fracture and stated ‘‘one consolation only remains that the limb will at some remote period again enjoy perfect freedom in all its motions and be completely exempt from pain; the defor- mity however will remain undiminished through life.’’ The different surgical techniques for treating fractures of distal radius are aimed at reducing this ﬁnal deformity to ensure better anatomical results especially in more severe frac- tures. Most distal radial fractures are uncomplicated and effectively treated with closed reduction and immobiliza- tion in a cast. The goal of treatment is to restore the functional anatomy by a method that does not compromise hand function. The important factors to consider are frac- ture pattern, displacement, stability of fracture, age and physical demands of the patient [1]. Various modalities of treatment for distal radius fracture are described in the literature and the four methods generally followed in treating these fractures are, one conservative treatment in plaster cast with or without manipulative reduction; two, percutaneous K wire ﬁxation to maintain reduction while in plaster; three, External ﬁxation (bridging or non-bridging); four, open reduction and internal ﬁxation. There is no general consensus regarding the indications, advantages and disadvantages of each of these treatment methods [7]. Percutaneous pin ﬁxation is an excellent technique provided distal aspect of radius is not severely comminuted or osteoporotic. It is especially useful for unstable fractures both extra articular and intra articular sometimes in combination with other modes of ﬁxation [1]. This technique was ﬁrst reported by Stein and Katz [8] and further reﬁned by Clancey [9]. K wires are placed through radial styloid and/or dorsally to aid in reduction. Alterna- tively they may be placed intrafocally as in Kapandji’s technique [10]. Cross pinning with two radial styloid pins Table 1 Loss of angles and age/sex Category (number of patients) Loss of angles—mean (range) \65 years (33) C65 years (26) P value (Mann–Whitney test) Male (20) Female (39) P value (Mann–Whitney test) All patients (59) Radial tilt 2.2 (0–12) 2.0 (0–30) 0.967 2.3 (0–12) 2.8 (0–30) 0.585 2.6 (0–30) Ulnar variance (mm) 1.1 (0–4) 1.5 (0–10) 0.927 1.4 (0–4) 1.3 (0–10) 0.927 1.3 (0–10) Dorsal tilt 2.2 (0–12) 3.1 (0–12) 0.164 2.1 (0–12) 2.9 (0–12) 0.164 2.6 (0–12) 123