Authors of section

Authors

Harry Hoyen, Simon Lambert, Joideep Phadnis

Executive Editor

Simon Lambert

Open all credits

Dorsolateral plating

1. General considerations

Introduction

Plating with precontoured periarticular locking plates provides angular-stable fixation and is the most commonly used method of distal humeral fracture fixation.

Dorsolateral plates should be considered in the presence of coronal-shear articular fragments.

Dorsolateral plating of distal humeral fracture

Some dorsolateral plates have a lateral extension or tab that allows screws to be placed from lateral to medial as well as posterior to anterior in the articular segment.

Dorsolateral plat with lateral tab

Together with a medial plate, they form a perpendicular plating construct.

Perpendicular plating construct

Parallel vs perpendicular plating

Both techniques—if applied using the correct principles—provide sufficient stability for fracture union. The decision to use either construct should be based on the fracture pattern and be individualized to each case.

If periarticular locking plates are not available and reconstruction plates need to be used, a parallel plating construct may be more appropriate than a perpendicular plating construct.

Parallel and perpendicular plating of distal humeral fracture

Principles of fracture compression in the distal humerus

In general, there are two sites where fracture compression should be achieved through solid bony contact across the fracture:

  • In the articular block between the articular fragments
  • At the supracondylar level
Note: Most nonunions occur at the supracondylar level.
Fracture compression in the distal humerus

2. Plate characteristics

These plates usually have smaller locking holes in the distal part to capture the articular fragments and larger locking/nonlocking holes proximally to address the metadiaphyseal segment/fragments.

VA-LCP distal humerus dorsolateral plate

3. Screw characteristics

Screw types

For application of the plate to the bone, three screw types may be used:

  • Cortical screws
  • Locking screws (variable angle or fixed angle)
  • Metaphyseal screws
Variety of screw types

Combination of different screw types

If compression across a fracture segment is to be applied, this should be performed before adding locking screws in the same segment.

Recommended literature:

  • Perren S, Babst R, Lambert S, et al. The issue of mixing principles in internal fixation. Pros and cons. ICUC Newsletter. 2015 Nov;3. Available at: www.icuc.net/static/media/9.563f04cf.pdf. Accessed November 3, 2020.

4. Plate length

The plate length should allow placement of at least three screws proximal to the most proximal fracture line.

If there is metaphyseal fracture comminution, a longer plate should be selected for bridge plating.

Select a plate long enough so that the resulting construct respects the principle of balanced fixation. This includes considerations of screw type, screw density and direction, and plate working length.

Recommended literature:

Balanced fixation

When using two plates, it is preferable to end the plates at different levels to avoid a stress riser.

When using two plates, it is preferable to end the plates at different levels to avoid a stress riser.

When applying a longer dorsolateral plate, identify and protect the radial nerve to avoid injury as it crosses the spiral groove of the humerus. See also the information about neurological protection and handling.

When applying a longer dorsolateral plate, identify and protect the radial nerve to avoid injury.

5. Plate contouring

Modern anatomical periarticular plates are designed to match the anatomy of most patients. Therefore, contouring is not usually required.

If the plates do not fit the distal humerus following reduction, confirm first that the reduction is anatomical under image intensification.

In some instances, contouring may still be required.

Avoid bending the plate through screw holes as this will weaken the plate and deform locking holes, which may hinder screw locking.

Plate bender

6. Plate positioning

Place the plate to the dorsolateral aspect of the distal humerus beneath the triceps.

The plate needs to be applied distal enough for the distal screws to engage the capitellum. Proximally the plate sits on the posterior aspect of the humeral shaft.

Provisionally fix the plate to the bone with forceps or K-wires.

Placing the plate to the dorsolateral aspect of the distal humerus beneath the triceps
Pitfall: Avoid placing the plate too distally; otherwise, there may be impingement against the radial head in terminal elbow extension.
Plate impingement against the radial head in terminal elbow extension

7. Insertion of first proximal screw

Provisionally fix the plate to the bone with a cortical position screw through one of the combiholes proximal to the fracture zone.

Provisional fixation of the plate to the bone with a cortical position screw through one of the combiholes proximal to the fracture zone

8. Insertion of distal screws

Introduction

The distal screws can be locking or metaphyseal screws.

Locking screws are typically used to provide angular-stable fixation.

Metaphyseal screws are used to provide intraarticular fracture compression.

Variable angle locking screws

The distal screws are locking screws. They form a fixed angle construct with the plate.

Insert these screws in a fixed or variable angle mode depending on the fracture pattern.

Pitfall: Variable angle screws offer adaptable fixation in the articular block, but there is a risk of transgressing the olecranon fossa. Intraoperative imaging may be required to confirm accuracy of screw position.
Screw insertion in distal plate in variable-angle and fixed-angle mode

Screws should be long enough to engage fragments on the opposite side to the plate.

The distal screws must be unicortical to avoid violating the anterior articular surface of the capitellum, or the coronoid fossa.

Screws should be long enough to engage fragments on the opposite side to the plate.

Option: lateral tab

The lateral tab gives the possibility to address coronal and sagittal plane fractures with one plate.

Insert screws, depending on the fracture pattern.

The goal is to insert at least two screws (locking or metaphyseal) long enough to engage the fragments on the opposite side.

Long variable-angle screws through the lateral tab

Pitfall: articular penetration of screws

Screws through the articular surface will cause damage to the radial head and/or the greater sigmoid notch of the ulna.
Screws in the olecranon fossa will cause obstruction of the olecranon tip in extension resulting in pain and loss of motion.
Use image intensification and/or direct visualization to ensure correct screw position.
Articular penetration of screws and screws through the olecranon fossa

9. Fixation of articular block

Interfragmentary compression of simple articular fracture

If there is a simple fracture of the articular block, apply extrinsic or intrinsic compression by one of the following options.

  • Extrinsic compression applied by forceps and maintained with a locking screw through the plate
Extrinsic compression applied by a forceps and maintained with a locking screw through the plate
  • Intrinsic compression applied by insertion of a transverse lag screw separate to the plate. The screw may be a partial threaded cancellous screw or an overdrilled fully threaded cortical screw. ...
Intrinsic compression applied by insertion of a transverse lag screw separate to the plate

... Add a locking screw through the articular block.

Adding a locking screw through the articular block
  • Intrinsic compression applied by insertion of a metaphyseal lag screw through the plate
Intrinsic compression applied by insertion of a metaphyseal lag screw through the plate

Insertion of posteroanterior locking screws

To lock rotation of the lateral articular fragment, insert at least one posteroanterior locking screw.

When drilling prevent penetration of the far cortex.

Take care to measure the screw length correctly to avoid penetration of the capitellar articular surface.

Insertion of posteroanterior locking screws

Fixation of multifragmentary articular fractures

Reconstruct the articular block with K-wires.

Place locking screws through the plate into the articular block to maintain reduction without applying excessive compression with forceps. The locking screws are used as positioning screws to maintain reduction.

Reconstruction of the articular block with K-wires

Pitfall: overcompression

Avoid overcompressing the articular fragments in multifragmentary articular fractures. This may result in collapse of the fragments and narrowing of the articular block, which can lead to maltracking of the joint with the ulna.
Priority should be given to reconstructing the medial trochlear ridge and lateral column.
Overcompression of articular fragments in multifragmentary articular fractures

10. Fixation of supracondylar fracture

Supracondylar compression

When the metaphyseal component of the fracture is simple, compression may be applied between the articular block and the humeral shaft.

Loosen the initially placed cortical screw.

Use forceps applied between the articular block and the metadiaphyseal segment to achieve compression.

Retighten the screw.

Insert further cortical or locking head screws into the proximal plate holes as needed.

Supracondylar compression with forceps

Compression may also be achieved by inserting a further proximal cortical screw eccentrically in a combihole.

Before tightening this screw, loosen the first bicortical one so the plate may slide for compression of the fracture.

Supracondylar compression with eccentrically inserted cortical screw

Insert further bicortical and/or locking screws as necessary to stabilize the fracture.

Two proximal screws may be sufficient in good-quality bone. The second screw should then be inserted in the most proximal plate hole for a near-far solution.

Dorsolateral plating of distal humeral fracture

Bridge plating

When the metaphyseal component of the fracture is complex, it may not be possible to achieve compression.

In this case, the metaphyseal segment should be bridged.

If this is performed, a longer plate using a near-far screw insertion is recommended to balance the load distribution.

If the first proximal screw is placed close to the fracture zone, insert the second bicortical screw in the most proximal plate hole.

Note: If one of the columns is a simple fracture and the other is comminuted, compression to gain stable fixation should be applied through the simple fracture before bridging the comminuted column.
Bridge plating of complex column fracture with near-far screw insertion

Neutralization plating

A neutralization plate protects lag screw fixation of a simple metaphyseal or simple partial articular fracture.

The lag screw may be placed independently or through the plate, depending on the fracture configuration and the chosen plate.

A longer plate using a near-far plate screw insertion is recommended to balance the load distribution.

The plate screws are usually inserted in neutral mode.

Option: lag screw

Some simple metaphyseal fractures may be amenable to lag screw compression outside or through the plate depending on the fracture plane and respecting soft-tissue attachments.

A normal lag screw technique may be used to add compression and stability to the overall fixation.

Lag screw compression outside or through the plate depending on the fracture plane
Go to diagnosis