Locking plates work by converting axial loads into compressive stresses at the screw-bone interface. This increases fixation strength and prevents hardware failure, especially in osteoporotic bone. Locking plates provide stability for early motion while protecting blood supply, aiding fracture healing. Key advantages over conventional plates are increased axial and angular stability with less dependence on bone quality. Proper technique requires initial fracture reduction before plate fixation with a combination of locking and conventional screws. Over-rigid constructs with too many screws can impair healing and cause nonunion.

2. Biomechanics of Locking
Plates
Zahid Askar
FCPS(Ortho), FRCS (Tr & Ortho)
Prof & Chair
Deptt of Orthopaedics & Trauma
Khyber Medical College, Peshawer

3. Pre-requisites for a good fixation system
• Minimal operative dissection
• Minimal periosteal contact
• Resist physiological loads to allow fracture union
• Provide sufficient stability to permit early limb motion,

4. The forces that must be
overcome by any
method of fracture
fixation.
AXIAL
BENDING
TORSIONAL

5. Axial force is countered in DCP by A x B
B
A = (the normal force provided by screw torque)
B = (the coefficient of friction between the plate and bone)In osteoporosis or comminuted fractures, the A xB < axial load which would could
lead to hardware failure

6. Limitations of Conventional Plates
• Failure in Osteopenic Bone------ Geriatrics
• Periosteal Avascularity --- ------- Tissue necrosis underneath the plate
• Percutaneous Plate ???
In the majority of fractures, conventional plating will do well

7. Locking Plates

8. Basic Principles of Locking Plate
•Bone
compression

9. WORK AS A UNIT !!!!

10. Locking SCrews
Conventional
screws

12. Less
problems
with the
blood
supply

13. Locking Screws vs Cortical Screws
Creates Fixed Angle Generates
Friction/Compression
4.4mm Core Dia. 3.5mm Core Dia.
5.0 mm Locking Screw 4.5 mm Cortical Screw

14. Mechanics/biomechanics of plate/screw fixation
Plate fixation with conventional screws
Plate fixation with locking head screws

15. • A locked plate converts an axial load shear force into a
compressive stress at the screw bone interface
• The strength of fixation is equal to the sum of the entire
screw bone interface of all the screws as opposed to a
single screw as in unlocked screws

16. Techniqual Advantage
• Axial and angular stability
• Not preloaded
• Cannot be over-tightened
• Higher resistance against bending loads
• Monocortical insertion is possible
• No primary loss of reduction
• No or less screw loosening, no or less secondary loss of
reduction

17. Biological Advantages
• Reduced compression of the periosteum
• Protects blood supply to the bone
• Callus formation/bone healing under the plate
bone after plating with a DCP
bone after plating with a LCP

18. Type of locking plates

19. Types of Locking Screws
• Fixed Angle Locking Plate
• Variable Angle

23. Indications for Locking
• Biological Fixation
• Spanning Comminution (bridging)
• Percutaneous Techniques
• Metaphyseal / Bicondylar Articular Fractures
• Short Articular Segment
• Periprosthetic Fractures
• Osteoporosis

24. Short Segment Fixation In Osteoporotic Bone

25. Short Segment Fixation with Conventional
Fixation

26. Number of Screws
• More locking screws will make the fixation very rigid
• YOU DO NOT NEED TO FILL ALL HOLES
• Conventional and locking screws can be combined 1:2

27. Bridge Plating

28. Stiffness of the construct

29. Two many screws decreases strain
Non-union

30. To decrease the stiffness and increase the
flexibility ……..
• Far Cortex Locking
screws

33. Construct Strength

34. Order of Attack
1. Reduce the fracture first
2. For reduction, if you need put to conventional screws - they
should be put before the Locking Screws
3. Then fix it with Locking Screws.
4. For Articular Fractures, the articular portion of the fracture is
reduced first .
5. Reduce the shaft to the articular block

36. Lag screws can be used to help reduce fragments
and construct stability improved w/ locking
screws

37. Lab Exercise
Metaphyseal
Fixation

38. Lab Exercise
Metaphyseal
Fixation

39. Lab Exercise
Metaphyseal
Fixation

40. Lab Exercise
Metaphyseal
Fixation
Reduction of Shaft

41. Metaphyseal
Fixation
Reduction of Shaft

42. Metaphyseal
Fixation
Reduction of Shaft

43. Metaphyseal
Fixation
Reduction of Shaft

44. Metaphyseal
Fixation
Reduction of Shaft

45. • Too many screws
• Wrong bone
• Wrong fracture

46. Problems ---- too many screws

48. Partial Articular fractures

49. Problems
• Plate bending;
• Plate fracture;
• Plate pull-off; and
• Locking screw failure
• Difficult to remove
• NON-UNION

50. Summary
• Locking is a principle
• Mostly for Osteoporotic bones
• Beware of too rigid fixations
• Need Reduction
• Good for multifragmentary fracture and
MIPO
• Biomechanics should be understood