🧩 Shapes of orthopedic plates

In addition to their mechanical system (compression, locking, or mixed), orthopedic plates also differ in shape, which depends on:

• the anatomical area where they are placed,
• the type of fracture or surgery,
• the geometry of the bone (straight, curved, articular).

Some plates use a single system (e.g., DCP), others are mixed, with holes allowing cortical screws or locking screws.

🔹 1. Straight plates

Straight plates are the most used for diaphyseal fractures (central part of long bones: femur, tibia, humerus, radius). 

They form the basis of internal fixation in veterinary orthopedics.

They can be modeled manually using contouring tools to fit the curvature of the bone.

Some straight plates are breakable: they can be cut to shorten the plate by removing one or more holes.

They exist in “simple,” DCP, locked, or combi versions.

Illustration :

🔹 2. Shaped or anatomical plates

These plates are designed to fit bone morphology, particularly near joints or bone ends. They are often pre‑bent and asymmetrical.

Common examples:

• T‑plates: used on distal metaphyses (distal radius, distal tibia).
• L‑plates : suited to the distal femur or proximal humerus.
• Condyle plates: match the shape of the distal condyle of the radius or the elbow.
• Distal femur plates: feature a widening to stabilize distal articular fragments.
• Acetabular plates: adapted to the hip socket, often highly curved.

Advantages:

• Reduced contouring time.
• Better anatomical fit.
• More reproducible positioning.

Illustrations :

🔹 Specific surgery plates

Some plates are designed for a specific surgical technique, not just a fracture.

They meet a particular functional need (angular correction, osteotomy, joint stabilization…).

Examples:

• TPLO plate: used for rotation of the tibial plateau (cruciate ligament rupture).
• TTA plate: associated with a cage, allows advancement of the tibial tuberosity.
• DPO/TPO plate: intended for correction of hip dysplasia.
• Arthrodesis plates: used to permanently fuse a joint (carpus, tarsus).

Characteristics:

• Very specific and optimized shape.
• Often preformed or pre‑angled.
• Mostly designed for a locked or mixed system, allowing immediate stability.

Important point:

• These surgeries are scheduled and not urgent, which allows the practitioner to anticipate equipment. The sales representative can therefore propose the solution upstream and support planning.

Illustrations :