Fifty-six patients with displaced Colles' fractures were examined 7 years after fracture. Slight radiographic changes of osteoarthritis were seen in 17 cases, moderate changes in 7 cases, and severe arthrosis in 1 case. At follow up, the occurrence of osteoarthritis was not related to radial shortening or residual dorsal angulation; it did show, however, a high correlation to the initial displacement of the fracture and the age of the patient. Radiographic osteoarthritis also influenced the function of the wrist, especially in the older patients.