This study has been designed as a prospective randomized controlled trial examining the cost effectiveness of treating distal radius fractures with open reduction and internal fixation with a volar locking plate (VLP) to closed reduction and k-wire fixation (K-Wires). All patients aged < 65 years with an isolated distal radius fracture (extra-articular or simple intra-articular, AO type A or C1) requiring operative fixation will be included in this study. Patients who have underlying osteoporosis, other injuries or complex intra-articular fractures will be excluded from this study.