A dynamic compression plate (DCP) is a metallic plate used in

orthopedics Orthopedic surgery or orthopedics (American and British English spelling differences, alternative spelling orthopaedics) is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic surgeons use both surgic ...

for

internal fixation Internal fixation is an Surgery, operation in orthopedics that involves the surgical implementation of Implant (medicine), implants for the purpose of repairing a bone, a concept that dates to the mid-nineteenth century and was made applicable fo ...

bone A bone is a rigid organ that constitutes part of the skeleton in most vertebrate animals. Bones protect the various other organs of the body, produce red and white blood cells, store minerals, provide structure and support for the body, ...

, typically after

fractures Fracture is the appearance of a crack or complete separation of an object or material into two or more pieces under the action of stress (mechanics), stress. The fracture of a solid usually occurs due to the development of certain displacemen ...

. As the name implies, it is designed to exert dynamic pressure between the bone fragments to be transfixed. Dynamic compression is achieved either by attaching a tension device to a plate or by using a special dynamic compression plate. However, compression plating requires a longer surgical incision to allow insertion of the tension device and the possibility of refracture after the plate is removed. A neutralization plate is used to bridge a comminuted fracture; it also transmits bending or torsional forces from the proximal to the distal fragment. Plates used for buttressing prevent collapse by supporting an area of thin cortex or cancellous bone graft. When plates are used,

atrophy Atrophy is the partial or complete wasting away of a part of the body. Causes of atrophy include mutations (which can destroy the gene to build up the organ), malnutrition, poor nourishment, poor circulatory system, circulation, loss of hormone, ...

of the bone beneath the plate may predispose the bone to fracture. After removal of plates, fractures may occur through the screw holes.

Sliding screw plate

The sliding screw plate (dynamic compression screw, dynamic hip screw) may be used to treat intertrochanteric fractures as well as other injuries. This device consists of a lag screw and a side plate with a barrel. The sliding screw telescopes and provides fixation while allowing impaction to occur at the fracture during healing and weight bearing. Among the complications of sliding screw plate fixation are "cutting out" of the nail, penetration of the screw into the joint, bending or breaking of the nail, and disengagement of the screw from the barrel and even protrusion of the screw into the vertebrae.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dynamic Compression Plate Orthopedic implants Orthopedic surgical procedures

Sliding screw plate

See also

References