Plate & Screw Fixation for precise fracture realignment
An open reduction technique that restores exact bone alignment using a contoured plate and screws — ideal for fractures near joints and complex breaks.
What plate & screw fixation actually does
A contoured titanium or stainless-steel plate is fixed directly onto the outer surface of the bone with screws — bringing fracture fragments back into precise anatomical position and holding them rigidly while healing takes place beneath it.
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Direct anatomical reduction
Open exposure lets the surgeon see the fracture fragments directly and realign them with millimetre precision — especially important when a break extends into a joint surface.
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Compression across the fracture
Screws can draw fragments together through the plate, applying controlled compression that encourages the bone edges to unite directly.
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Rigid, joint-friendly fixation
The plate resists bending and rotation right up to the fracture line, which makes it a reliable choice close to joints where movement control matters most.
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Removable if needed
Once the bone has united, the plate and screws can be taken out as a planned procedure, though most adults choose to leave a well-tolerated implant in place.
Fractures this technique is built for
Wrist fractures near the joint, where precise alignment is essential to preserve hand function.
Malleolar breaks around the ankle joint that need exact realignment to prevent long-term instability.
Displaced collarbone breaks where plating restores length and shoulder mechanics.
Breaks close to a joint — elbow, knee, or shoulder — where a shaped plate follows the bone's contour.
Fractures broken into several pieces, where a plate can hold multiple fragments together at once.
Fractures that failed to heal with other methods, where a plate adds the rigidity needed for union.
What happens on the day of surgery
Every case is planned around your specific fracture pattern, but the sequence below is how most plate and screw fixation procedures are carried out.
Anaesthesia and positioning
You're given spinal, regional or general anaesthesia and positioned to give the surgeon clear access to the fracture site.
Exposure of the fracture
A precise incision is made over the bone, and soft tissue is gently retracted to expose the fracture fragments directly.
Fracture reduction
The surgeon aligns the bone fragments under direct vision, confirming anatomical position before the plate is applied.
Plate and screw fixation
A contoured plate is positioned across the fracture and secured with screws driven through the bone under fluoroscopic guidance.
Closure and imaging
The wound is closed in layers, and final X-rays confirm plate position and fracture alignment before you leave theatre.
What patients gain from plate fixation
Direct visualization allows exact restoration of joint surfaces.
The plate holds fragments firmly from the moment it's fixed.
Shaped plates conform to bone anatomy close to a joint.
Compression across the fracture line supports direct union.
Dr. Lakshmikanth Reddy K
M.B.B.S., D.Ortho, DNB (Ortho) — Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Specialist in Trauma & Limb Reconstruction and Deformity Correction (Ilizarov Technique)
Fracture care led by a dedicated trauma specialist
Dr. Lakshmikanth Reddy K focuses on trauma and fracture surgery, with special expertise in limb reconstruction and deformity correction using the Ilizarov technique, alongside open reduction and plate fixation of fractures near joints and in complex patterns.
Every case is planned on pre-operative imaging to choose the right plate design, size and screw configuration before you ever reach the operating table, with rehabilitation planned from day one.
Frequently asked questions
A nail runs through the hollow centre of the bone, while a plate sits on its outer surface and is held by screws. Plating allows direct visualization of the fracture, which is why it's preferred for breaks near a joint that need exact alignment.
Protected movement or partial weight-bearing often starts within a few days. Most patients return to full, unaided use of the limb between 10 and 16 weeks, depending on the fracture and location of the plate.
Not necessarily. Once the fracture has united, a well-tolerated plate can be left in place indefinitely in most adults. Removal is considered mainly for children, or if the implant causes irritation near the skin.
Spinal, regional or general anaesthesia may be used depending on the fracture location and your overall health. This is discussed during your pre-operative assessment.
As with any surgery, risks include infection, delayed union, implant irritation, or nerve and vessel injury — though these are uncommon when the procedure is carefully planned.
Desk-based work is often possible within 3–4 weeks once pain settles. Physically demanding jobs typically require a longer break, guided by healing seen on X-rays.
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