Why and how do locking plates fail?

Injury. 2018 Jun:49 Suppl 1:S56-S60. doi: 10.1016/S0020-1383(18)30305-X.

Abstract

Locking plates have led to important changes in bone fracture management, allowing flexible biological fracture fixation based on the principle of an internal fixator. The technique has its indications and limitations. Most of the typical failure patterns arise from basic technical errors. Types of locking plates, material properties and the general principles of locking plate applications are reviewed together with their misapplication.

Keywords: Angle-stable; Failure; Internal fixator; Locking plate; Polyaxial; Screw.

MeSH terms

  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Bone Plates*
  • Bone Screws*
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal* / adverse effects
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal* / instrumentation
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal* / methods
  • Fractures, Bone / physiopathology
  • Fractures, Bone / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Treatment Failure
  • Weight-Bearing