Locking Plates: The Current Concepts and AdvantagesPosted by GWS SURGICALS LLP on December 19th, 2020 Fractures are old problems and their management criteria has overgone a paradigm shift in the last few years. Generally, the ideal process for treating fractures was anatomic reduction using a dynamic compression plate, but things have changes since the arrival of locking plates. In comparison with traditional compression plating methods, the ‘orthopaedic locking plates’ have gained more preferences in case of highly crushed fractures, osteoporotic fractures, and metadiaphyseal elements. The Locking plate manufacturers have surely seen a raise in sales more than the people dealing in compression plates as locking plates have a defined and illustrious clinical use. Why Locking plate methods?While using the compression plating methods, bone healing occurs only when there is absolute stability. The Orthopaedic locking plate plays its part as an internal fixator with multiple anchor points. These kinds of medical equipment have a fixed angle and they convert the axial loads to compressive forces in the fractured area. Due to the same, the Gap length and strain is minimized. There is a proved theory as well that demonstrates that anatomic reduction is not a compulsory requirement and if a tolerable strain of 2-10% can promote secondary bone healing. When biologically friendly surgical methods are combined with the locking plate methods, callus formation also takes place. The factors that affect the perfect functionality of a locking plate are:
And many more. The Advantages of Locking Plates
ConclusionDo you know who is the earliest ancestor of the locking plates? It is the Monocortical fixator! This instrument was enunciated by Carl Hansman in 1886 and its finalized form was presented to the world by Paul Reinhold in 1931 in France. We have now come a long way since then and hope to travel more successful roads in the plate’s direction in the upcoming years! Like it? Share it!More by this author |