Bone Plates Flashcards
How are bone plates differentiated? (2)
- System of coupling between plate and screw (lock vs non)
- Function
What plate is described:
The design of the screw hole infers axial compression across the fracture as the screw is inserted. The screw hole has a specific oval geometry, meaning that when a hole is drilled eccentrically away from the fracture, the bone fragment moves horizontally towards the fracture site as the screw is tightened.
Compression
What plate is described:
The fracture is anatomically reconstructed with screws, pins or wires and the plate is applied to help protect the reconstruction by resisting bending forces.
Neutralisation
What plate is described:
A plate is applied across a non- reconstructed fracture and, as such, is required to resist all the load-bearing forces (plate bears all of the forces until bone healing is well under way). The plate is subject to high bending forces, so additional fixation is often used (i.e. an intramedullary pin or orthogonal plate).
Bridging
Compression plates - The screw hole has a specific oval geometry meaning that when a hole is drilled eccentrically away from the fracture, what happens as the screw tightens?
The bone fragment moves horizontally towards the fracture site
In neutralisation mode, the fracture is anatomically reconstructed with screws, pins or wires and the plate is applied to help protect the reconstruction by resisting what?
Bending forces
In bridging mode, a plate is applied across a non- reconstructed fracture and, as such, is required to resist what forces?
All load bearing forces
Additional fixation is often needed with bridging, why is this?
Plate is subject to high bending forces
What are the 2 systems of coupling between plate and screws?
Non locking
Locking
How are non locking plates named?
By the size of the primary screw used to secure them
What forces do non locking plates rely on to transfer load? Where are these forces?
Frictional forces between plate and bone
Non locking plate:
How is friction caused?
Friction is created by the screw lagging (or squeezing) the plate to the bone and, as such, the plate has to be accurately contoured to the bone.
With a non locking plate; how much friction is between the metal and bone?
Low
When placing a non locking plate, how can disruptive forces be decreased? (3)
By anatomically reducing the fracture;
By increasing the bending stiffness of the plate (i.e. using a bigger plate, but the size of the bone limits this);
And placing the plate on the tension aspect of the bone.
What is the correct tension side of the humerus?
Cranial or lateral
What is the correct tension side of the tibia?
Cranial or medial
What is the correct tension side of the femur?
Lateral
What is the correct tension side of the radius?
Craniomedial or cranial
In bridging mode, axial load (the largest force) is transferred from bone to plate to bone by means of.?
The screws
Non locking plate:
What can happen with the screws in the holes?
the screw is able to move in the screw hole (i.e. it can pivot or toggle)
With non locking plates; what is the only thing responsible for stability?
Friction of plate-bone interface
With non locking plates what is important for active thread-holding power?
Screw purchase in the trans-cortex
What screws often fail with a non-locking plate?
monocortical
What interface with non locking plates and monocortical screws is the weak link?
Screw-bone interface
When prepping for surgery, what can be done to fatigue the muscle and assist # reduction?
Hang the animal from affected limb whilst prepping
If the proximal radius is needed, what muscles can be incised? (2)
- Pronator
- Supinator
During elevation of pronator and supinator muscles take care to protect what? (2)
Median n
Radial n
What increases compression at site of # with a DCP?
Overcountering of the plate
True or false:
Over bending the plate ensures that optimal contact will be obtained at the far cortical surface when axial compression is applied.
True
Which part of a DCP goes over the #?
Centre of plate
Where is first screw placed with DCP?
Distal fragment, hole closed to #
Where is the 2nd screw placed with DCP?
Hole closest to # - proximal
How to cause compression with screws with DCP?
Alternatively tighten the 2 closet to #
How many compression screws with DCP?
2 - but can be 4
What is the maximum amount of compression that can be achieved with a single 3.5 mm screw applied in a loaded position in a LC-DCP?
1mm
What does the oval screw hole allow with DCP plate?
The creation of axial compression.
Where is compression to be applied with DCP?
Toward centre of plate (where there is a slightly extended middle section)
Which # types can be compressed together? (2)
Transverse
Short oblique