We report the incidence of late onset post-operative carpal tunnel syndrome 
(late carpal tunnel syndrome) and late median nerve neuropathy after volar 
plating of distal radius fracture by conducting a retrospective study on volar 
plating for distal radius fracture performed during 2002 to 2006. Two hundred 
eighty-two volar plating were performed for acute distal radius fracture after 
exclusion. Post-operative hand numbness occurred in 24 patients of which nine 
had carpal tunnel syndrome. Thus, the incidence of late carpal tunnel syndrome 
was 3.2% (9/282). Of the eight (8/24, 33%) patients with post-operative hand 
numbness that failed to respond to conservative treatment, five had carpal 
tunnel release and three had neurolysis of median nerve at distal forearm. All 
had clinical improvement except in one patient. The incidence of late carpal 
tunnel syndrome after volar plating of distal radius in the present series is 
similar to the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome in general population. The 
incidence is low compared with other series, regardless of treatment method 
(conservative treatment, volar or dorsal plating). The outcome of post-operative 
hand numbness is generally favourable.