Abstract:[Objective] To compare the clinical efficacy of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) through flexor carpi radialis tendon (FCRT) approach versus conventional Henry approach for type C3 distal radius fractures. [Methods] A retrospective study was conducted on 100 patients received ORIF for type C3 distal radius fracturesin our hospital from January 2018 to January 2023. According to different time periods, 54 patients in the late stage were treated through the FCRT approach, while 46 patients in the early stage were treated through the traditional Henry approach. The perioperative period, follow-up and imaging documents of the two groups were compared. [Results] All patients in both groups had operation completed successfully. The FCRT group was significantly superior to the Henry group in terms of fracture exposure time [(10.5±1.0) min vs (13.6±1.2) min, P<0.001], operation time [(56.4±5.3) min vs (60.0±6.4) min, P=0.003], intraoperative blood loss [(20.0±3.6) mL vs (23.5±4.0) mL, P<0.001]. The average follow-up time was of (24.0±3.0) months, and the FCRT group resumed full weight- bearing activity significantly earlier than the Henry group [(80.5±7.5) d vs (84.0±8.6) d, P=0.032]. The VAS score, DASH score, G-W score, wrist extension-flexion ROM, ulnar- radial ROM and pronation- supination ROM were significantly improved in both groups at the last follow-up compared with those 1 month after surgery (P<0.05). FCRT group was significantly better than the Henry group in terms of VAS score [(2.3±0.4) vs (2.8±0.6), P<0.001], the DASH score [(14.0±3.2) vs (15.7±4.2), P=0.024], the G-W score [(8.0±1.8) vs (9.1±2.0), P=0.005] one month postoperatively. As for imaging, there was no a significant difference in articular surface reduction between the two groups (P>0.05). The palmar tilt (PT), radial inclination (RI) and radial length (RL) in both groups were significantly increased at the latest follow-up compared with those preoperatively (P<0.05), whereas which were not statistically significant between the two groups at any matching time points(P>0.05). [Conclusion] The open reduction and internal fixation through the flexor carpi radialis tendon (FCRT) approach for type C3 distal radius fractures does significantly reduce surgical trauma, and is more conducive to early functional re-covery over the traditional Henry approach.