A clinical trial was conducted to investigate the efficacy of the whirlpool bath in the treatment of patients with Colles' fractures. The subjects were 24 patients, male and female, aged 40 to 80 years, who were referred to a physiotherapy department for treatment of a Colles' fracture with no other associated condition. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups -- "whirlpool" or "towel" -- following the immobilization phase. Patients in the whirlpool group (n = 12) had their hand, wrist and forearm immersed in the whirlpool for 15 minutes while, in the towel group (n = 12), patients had their hand and wrist wrapped in two towels (at room temperature) for 15 minutes. Following treatment by either modality, both groups of patients received a standard treatment of massage, joint mobilization, and active and resisted exercises. No occupational therapy was given. Pain, oedema, range of motion and strength were measured by independent evaluators before and after the application of the modality. Data were collected over a maximum period of 12 treatment sessions. While whirlpool patients experienced a significant increase in oedema on a short-term basis, no significant long-term differences between the two methods of treatment with regard to pain, oedema, range of motion or strength were noted. Until more definitive evidence on the benefits of whirlpool is provided, the common practice of using the expensive modality of whirlpool baths for the treatment of Colles' fractures post-immobilization is debatable.

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