Locking Plate

Locking plates are a popular method of internal fixation. Locking plates are most often used as a bridging plate in fractures with bone loss and short articular fragments.

The working length of a plate includes the portion of the plate that is unsupported by bone. The longer the segment of unsupported bone, the greater is the risk of failure.

Locking plates have become a popular, effective method of stabilizing metaphyseal/epiphyseal fractures with comminution and short articular fragments.

Important biomechanical features of locking plates include1:

* Locked screws can function as individual blade plates in the distal fragment.
* Locking plates can effectively serve as bridge plates, providing excellent fixation in short distal articular fragments.
* Compression of the plate against the bone is less than that of conventional plating, resulting in less devascularization of the underlying cortex.
* There is no toggling between the locked screws and the plate.
* The pullout strength of a locked unicortical screw is approximately 60% of a standard bicortical screw.
* Locking plates are similar biomechanically to an external fixator.
* Moment arms are less because the plate is closer to the bone's neutral axis than the connecting bar of the external fixator.