What are locking plates?
Locking plates are fracture fixation devices with threaded screw holes, which allow screws to thread to the plate and function as a fixed-angle device 1 – 3. These plates may have a mixture of holes that allow placement of both locking and traditional nonlocking screws (so-called combi plates) 4 , 5.
What is a locking screw orthopedic surgery?
Locking head screws are engaged in the plate, and the plate is not pressed against the bone. This reduces interference to the blood supply to the bone underneath the plate. The plate and screws provide adequate rigidity and do not depend on the underlying bone buttressing (load-bearing osteosynthesis).
What kind of screws are used in orthopedic surgery?
The two most common types of screws are cortical and cancellous screws, as shown below. Cortical screws tend to have fine threads all along their shaft, and are designed to anchor in cortical bone.
What are bone plates used for?
A bone plate is a thin metal implant used to immobilize bone segments. The plate is affixed with screws to properly align the bone and aid in the healing process. In spine surgery, a bone plate may be used to help stabilize the fused area and prevent dislodgement of the bone graft.
When would you use a locking screw?
Accepted indications for the use of locking plate fixation include: 1) fractures of osteoporotic bone; 2) highly comminuted fractures, especially those involving diaphyseal and metaphyseal bone; and 3) metaphyseal and intra-articular fractures such as proximal humerus and distal radius fractures.
When to use locking vs non locking plates?
A locking plate provides stability as a fixed-angle construct; fixed-angle properties obviate the need for compression and contact between plate and bone. A non-locking plate obtains fixation stability by the frictional force between plate and bone.
What is the purpose of lock screw?
Using locking screws prior to nonlocking screws prevents the plate from being reduced to bone and/or compression being created across the fracture site.
What kind of screws do doctors use?
Surgical screws are made of titanium or a high-grade surgical stainless steel. The sizes can span across 1.5 mm to 7.3mm depending on the type of fracture. Some people have misconceptions about the use of screws in the body. The screws do not set off metal detectors because they are non-magnetic.
What are orthopedic plates and screws made of?
Plates and screws are made from either stainless steel or titanium alloys. There is no real benefit to one material over the other unless a patient has an allergy to a specific metal. It is largely a matter of surgeon preference. There can be variability in cost, design, and size among implants.
What is locking compression plate?
The locking compression plate is a contemporary implant that allows for both conventional screw placement (using nonlocking screws) and locking screw placement (where screw heads lock into the plate at a predetermined angle). This allows for greater versatility in the application of internal fixation.
What are bone plates and screws?
Plates are like internal splints that hold the broken pieces of bone together. They are attached to the bone with screws. Plates may be left in place after healing is complete, or they may be removed (in select cases). In this x-ray, broken bones in a forearm are held in position with plates and screws while they heal.