Thirty-eight patients with dorsally-displaced distal fractures were prospectively studied to assess the clinical effects of low frequency ultrasound treatment, started immediately after plaster removal. Nineteen of the patients represented the control group and a double-blind protocol was followed. Assessment took place on the day of plaster removal and 2 and 8 weeks later. There was no significant difference in wrist motion and duration of follow-up between the treated and control patients.