locked plates

i know.. thats roughly what we do.. but there is always the Q.. what are the guidelines? well suppose there is not really one answer

the answer is 3. i am just kidding with the concrete answer, but in all seriousness, it probably isn't that far from the truth. now how to interpret this with regards to the AO? who knows.

i try to only lock when i can really justify the added expense (locking screw approx $95, non locker approx $13). as an aside, it makes me laugh to see residents "need" a locking plate on a standard bimall. good for the companies, bad for our budgets!

see thats exactly the issue. im working in a goverment hospital here in SA and my boss runs an excelllent unit cos he is efficient with his ortho budget. now i can use 6 screws on a simple radial diaphyseal # and waste money or use it sensibly... which we do. but then what is sensible. assuming u using it for a volar bartons... u slap on de plate.. u get 3 screws into distal end to hold de fragments..no arguments. now on the proximal side of the fracture.. what do u do/need? at least 1 locked screw? or 2? or none? cos u can hold the plate onto the shaft with normal bicortical screws... but does that affect the mechanics of the locked plate? so do i put in at least one to effectively lock the plate on both sides of fracture? or maybe 2? or 3? im sure no one has an answer lol