Objective To investigate the effect of volar approach locking plate (VLP) on the wrist range of motion and quality of life in patients with unstable distal radius fractures (UDRF). Methods From January 2019 to January 2020, 73 patients with UDRF were admitted to the hospital. According to the surgical method, they were divided into group A (bridging external fixator combined with Kirschner wire, n=32) and group B (VLP, n=41). The perioperative indexes and wrist joint function indexes were compared between the two groups, and the clinical efficacy and postoperative quality of life were observed between the two groups. Results The operation time of group B was longer than that of group A (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in the amount of intraoperative blood loss and hospitalization time between the two groups (P<0.05); the fracture healing time of group B was shorter than that of group A (P<0.05) ; 3 days after operation, the wrist pronation, supination, palm flexion and back extension activities of group B were higher than those of group A (P<0.05); 3 months after operation, the two groups of pronation, supination, and palm flexion The degree of back extension activity was higher than 3 days after operation (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05); the Cooney score of group B was higher than that of group A at 3 months after operation (P<0.05) ); The Cooney scores of the two groups were higher than that of 3 months after the operation 12 months after the operation, and the B group was higher than the group A (P<0.05); the SF-36 scores of the two groups were higher than the preoperative 12 months after the operation, and Group B was higher than group A (P<0.05); the total incidence of postoperative complications in group B was lower than group A (P<0.05). Conclusion VLP can effectively improve the range of motion of the wrist in patients with UDRF, the treatment effect is good, and the quality of life of the patients after surgery is improved.