Arthroscopic assistance does not improve the functional or radiographic outcome of unstable intra-articular distal radial fractures treated with a volar locking plate: a randomised controlled trial

74 patients with unilateral intra-articular distal radius fracture undergoing internal fixation with a volar locking plate were randomized to receive either arthroscopically- or fluoroscopically-assisted reduction. The purpose of the study was to determine how the functional and radiographic outcomes compared between groups over a 48 week follow-up period. The results indicated no significant differences between patient groups in terms of both functional and radiographic outcomes at 6 and 48 weeks.