ABSTRACT:Fractures of distal end of radius continue to pose a therapeutic challenge. Intra articular and extra articular malalignment can lead to various complications like post-traumatic osteoarthrosis, decreased grip strength and endurance, as well as limited motion and carpal instability. Open reduction and internal fixation is indicated to address the unstable distal radius fractures and those with articular incongruity that cannot be anatomically reduced and maintained through external manipulation and ligamentotaxis, provided sufficient bone stock is present to permit early range of motion. METHODS: Sixty adult patients with distal radial fractures treated at Dept. of Orthopaedics, Government General Hospital and Royal Hospital, Vijayawada between May 2010 and April 2015 were included in this study. RESULTS: In this series 9(15%) patients were between 21-30 years, 15(25%) between 31-40 years, 24(40%) between 41-50 years, 9(15%) between 51-60 years and 3(5%) patients between 61-70 years. The age of the patients ranged from 26-62 years with an average of 43.3 years. Out of 60 patients, 48(80%) were males and 12(20%) were females, showing a male preponderance with the ratio being M: F 4: 1. Right side (Dominant wrist) was involved in 42(70%) patients and the left side was involved in 18(30%) patients. In our study there were 36 (60%) patients with road traffic accidents and 24(40%) patients fell on their outstretched hand. Of the 60 cases, 12(20%) of the fractures were of Type I Frykman's classification, 6(10%) of Type II, 21(35%) of Type III, 9(15%) of Type IV, 3(5%) of Type V and 9(15%) of Type VIII. There were no cases of Type VI and VII fractures. SUMMARY: Males were predominant with right wrist affection more than left. All fractures were either due to road traffic accidents or fall on the outstretched hand, with road traffic accidents being more common of the two. Most of the fractures were of Frykman Type I, III and IV. All (100%) the patients had their range of motion within the normal functional range. None of the patients had wrist stiffness. Complications were minimal. There was 3(5%) case of extensor pollicis longus tendon irritation which was because of long volar to dorsal screw and the pain subsided once the screw was removed. There was 3(5%) case with an intra-articular fracture developed grade I radiocarpal arthritis doing well with physiotherapy.