Thirty-two patients with intra-articular distal radius fractures scheduled for surgical fracture fixation with both a volar plate and K-wire were randomized to a group in which a 3D model was created to facilitate procedure simulation and tool preparation, or conventional practice. Outcomes of interest included operative time, intra-operative blood loss, number of fluoroscopies completed, pain on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, and wrist range of motion (flexion, extension, ulnar deviation, radial deviation, pronation, supination). Outcomes were analysed 6 months post-operation. Results revealed significantly lower operative time, intra-operative bleeding and number of fluoroscopies performed in the 3D modelling group compared to the conventional group. No significant differences in VAS pain scores, DASH scores or range of motion in all directions were observed between the two groups.