72 patients with Type C distal humerus fractures were included in this trial and scheduled for treatment using a double-plating surgery. Patients were then randomized to two different plating groups to compare an orthogonal pattern with a locking compression distal humerus plate and a parallel plating pattern. Both plating methods utilized anatomically precontoured plates. At final follow-up there were no non-unions observed in either group. Pain, functional outcomes, complications and heterotrophic ossification rates were similar between the two groups. The results of this study did not identify any advantage of one plating method over another.