Orthopedic plate

Prior to the invention of the orthopedic plate, metal wiring was used to solve the issue of bone fractures until about 1850. It is debated when the first use of this technique was actually made; some attribute it to the ancient Greeks. Its first recorded use, however, was in 1755 in a French journal. The purpose of the AO were to better understand bone repair, fracture formation and surgical techniques to gain better results in medical applications. ==Materials==

Previously used materials Source: • Titanium • Medical grade steel • Cobalt-based alloys • Bioceramics • Metal composites • Polymers == Classifications of orthopedic plates by usage ==

Orthopedic plates are designed based on the bone fracture. While the general design is similar, each plate must be manufactured to not only to reduce the fracture but also fit the contour of the patient's bone. Protection Locking plates can be used either to support a locking head screw, or to force bone together at the fracture. Locking head screws can be applied at the fracture, with the orthopedic plate in place to reduce applied force on the bone fracture. Tension and Compression Compression plates can be implanted in such a way that it is in tension, forcing the bone together at the fracture. The use of an articulated tension device can also be used to compress the bone together by pulling the compression plate. Bridging For fragmentary bone fractures, bridging plates can be used to hold the bone in place when there are no anchor points at the fracture point. Bridging can allow for relative stability along the bone, while not disturbing the bone fragments. Buttress Buttress plates, or concave plates, are useful for fractures along concave surfaces. Due to the angle of the bone, the contour of the concave plate aligns with the bone, providing even compressive force along the fracture. == Applications ==

Different plate types ==Modes of use==

• Buttress • Neutralization • Bridging • Tension • Compression ==See also==