Morbid obesity is associated with reduced health-related quality of life (HRQOL), increased morbidity and mortality. Little is known about the correlation between obesity and complex distal radius fractures (DRF). The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of being overweight on postoperative HRQOL after surgically treated intra-articular DRF. Fifty-three patients were included in this retrospective study with 7 years' mean follow-up (mean 7.2 +/- 0.4, range 6.4-7.9 years) after volar plating of an intra-articular DRF (AO-type C). All patients were categorized by their body mass index (BMI) into two study groups: group 1 (normal weight) with a BMI < 25 (n = 24); group 2 (obese) with a BMI >= 25 (n = 29). HRQOL and functional outcomes were assessed through range of motion (ROM) and four different scores - the 36-item short form health survey (SF-36), the disability of arm and shoulder score (DASH), the Gartland and Werley score and the Castaing score - along with X-rays to measure volar tilt, radial inclination, radial length and articular congruity. All HRQOL assessments and clinical outcomes were correlated to BMI by comparing group 1 versus group 2. There was no difference in terms of postoperative ROM. The group of normal weight patients achieved slightly better but non-significant results for the Gartland and Werley score. No differences were seen in the DASH score or SF-36. There were also no differences regarding the Castaing score. Overall, normal and obese patients had no significant differences their HRQOL and functionality after volar plating of DRF. (C) 2019 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS on behalf of SFCM.