Bridge plating
Bridge plating uses the plate as an extramedullary splint, fixed to the two
main fragments, and leaving the intermediate fracture zone untouched.
Anatomical reduction of intermediate fragments is not necessary. Furthermore,
their direct manipulation would risk disturbing their blood supply. If the
soft-tissue attachments to the fragments are preserved and the fragments are
relatively well aligned, healing is unimpaired.
Alignment of the main shaft fragments can be achieved indirectly with the
use of traction and the support of indirect reduction tools, or indirectly via
the implant.
Mechanical stability, provided by the bridging plate, is adequate for gentle
functional rehabilitation and results in satisfactory indirect healing (callus
formation). Occasionally, a larger wedge fragment might be approximated to the
main fragments with a lag screw.