56 patients with unilateral distal radius fracture were randomized to fixation using volar locking plates or to control treatment with either closed reduction and casting for 6 weeks, K-wire fixation and casting for 6 weeks, or external fixation, with/without supplemental K-wires. Control intervention was left to the discretion of the treating physician. Results at 3 months significantly favoured VLP compared to control interventions for Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH), Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE), grip strength, range of extension, volar slope, and ulnar variance.