Advances in internal fixation locking plates

One of the biggest advances in small animal orthopaedics over the last few years has been the development and availability of locking plate systems. The Locking Compression Plate was introduced to human orthopaedics at the beginning of the millennium, and subsequently to veterinary orthopaedics a few years later in 2004. Since that time, its use has become common in specialist orthopaedic practice, and a number of other locking plate systems have been developed that are starting to be used in general practice. This article is an introduction to the theory and practice of locking plates.