Obiective To compare the effects of nanometer artificial bone versus iliac autograft in treatment of unstable C type collapse distal radius fracture. Method Between June 2006 and June 2008, 65 patients suffered unstable C type collapse distal radius fracture were involved in this study, including 35 patients with nanometer artificial bone treatment and 30patients with iliac autograft bone. Operation time, blood loss, drainage and wound healing were compared in each group. X-ray was took in1, 2, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months after operation. Results Two groups of patients were followed up for 1 to 3 years, an average of 2.2 years. For operation time and blood loss, the nanometer artificial bone group was significantly less than the iliac autogenous group (P<0.05). There was no difference in days of hospitalization, level of serum calcium and phosphorus levels between the two groups. According to Gartland and Werley score, there were excellent in 8 cases, good in 12 cases, general in 3 cases and 4 poor cases for the group of nanometer artificial bone treatment,excellent and good rate was 85.7%.In the other group, there were excellent in 17 cases, good in 9 cases, general in 2 cases and 1 poor cases,excellent and good rate was 86.7%. Conclusion The combination of nanometer artificial bone with plate fixation for treatment of unstable C type collapse distal radius fracture can prevent bone loss after fracture reduction effectively. As a bone graft substitute, nanometer artificial bone has a good prospect for clinical application.