72 patients with a displaced distal radius fracture scheduled for fixation with a volar locking plate were randomized to receive a plate placed distal to the watershed line, or a plate placed completely proximal to the watershed line. The purpose of this study was to compare the range of motion, functional outcome measures, and complications between groups over a 6-month follow-up. With the exception of greater recovery of range of motion in the proximal group compared to the distal group at 1-month follow-up, no other significant differences were observed between groups in the range of motion or functional outcome measures throughout follow-up.