109 patients with a moderate, dorsally displaced distal radius fracture (Colles') were randomized to two different conservative management protocols after closed reduction. One group was treated with plaster cast immobilization for 10 days followed by elastic bandaging, while the other group was treated with 1 month (range 4-5 weeks) of plaster cast immobilization. Radiographic results found that, within the period between 10 days and 1 month, the group treated with the short duration of plaster cast immobilization demonstrated significantly greater loss of correction in dorsal angulation, radial angulation, and axial compression when compared to patients managed with 1 month of plaster cast immobilization.