70 patients with unstable extra-articular or intra-articular fractures of the distal part of the radius, less than 10 days old, were randomized to be fixed with either a dynamic or a static external fixator. At 1 year, non-significant functional differences were observed between the dynamic and static fixators in radial tilt or radial inclination, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score, and a visual analog pain score. Patients fixed with static fixator required radial length shortening, whereas the length was better preserved with the dynamic fixator. Dynamic fixator had more superficial pin-tract infections.