This plate is used for fixation of fractures, ostomies, and non-unions of bones such as clavicle, radius, ulna, scapula, olecranon, humerus, pelvis, distal tibia, and fibula. This plate is primarily designed for osteopenic bones. This plate can also be used for internal fixation as it provides stable bridging over traumatized areas.
Small fragments twin-lock LCP plates are used in a wide range of bone fracture surgeries, especially in the hands and feet, due to their structural advantages.
Based on the investigations such as X-Ray, MRI and CT/CAT, and their reports, the surgeon counsels the patient and the attendees regarding the process and the expected outcomes of the surgery.
Positioning of the patient depends on the location of the fracture and the degree of damage to the bone and this varies from surgeon to surgeon.
Using specific bending instruments, the locking plates are contoured to match the anatomy of the bone that needs to be fixed.
Based on the requirement, standard 3.5 mm cortex screws, 4.00 mm cancellous screws or 3.5 mm locking screws are used for the plate fixation. If required, a combination of various screws may also be used.
To treat the prevailing infections and to avoid the postoperative infections, the doctor prescribes antibiotics prior to the surgery.
The plate needs to be selected based on the requirement. If need be, a bending template may also be used to determine the required plate length.
The plate is temporarily held in place using standard plate holding forceps or the push-pull reduction device. The push-pull reduction device is designed to temporarily hold the plate with the bone with the help of a plate hole. A threaded plate holder may also be used to position the plate on the bone for better placement.
As the direction of the locking screw is determined by the design of the plate, the final position of the screw has to be ascertained using a K-wire before insertion. This process of verification becomes even more important when the plate has been contoured or used in the metaphyseal regions near the joint surfaces.