What's New in Podiatry – Journal Article Summary A Comparison of Bone Union and Complication Rates Between Locking and Non-locking Plates in Distal Fibular Fracture: Retrospective Study of 106 Cases
Locking plates provide greater stability and rigidity and have thus become more popular amongst surgeons. This study seeks to provide more information on whether the stability provided by locking plates are necessary by comparing union rates and complications including the difference in cost between locking and non-locking plate constructs for distal fibular fractures. They found no significant difference between non-locking and locking plates in radiographic union rate, wound complications or hardware removal rates. They concluded that non-locking constructs have the same effectiveness at a lower cost.