• OBJECTIVE
    • To review the current status and progress of locking plate for the treatment of distal femoral comminuted fractures.
  • METHODS
    • The related literature was extensively reviewed to summarize the current status and progress in the treatment of distal femoral comminuted fracture with locking plate from four aspects: the current treatment situation, the shortcomings of locking plate and countermeasures, the progress of locking technology, locking plate and digital orthopedic technology.
  • RESULTS
    • Treatment of distal femoral comminuted fractures is challenging. Locking plates, the most commonly used fixation for distal femoral comminuted fractures, still face a high rate of treatment failure. Double plates can improve the mechanical stability of comminuted fractures, but specific quantitative criteria are still lacking for when to choose double plates for fixation. The far cortial locking screw has shown good application value in improving the micro-movement and promoting the growth of callus. The biphasic plating is a development of the traditional locking plate, but needs further clinical examination. As an auxiliary means, digital orthopedic technology shows a good application prospect.
  • CONCLUSION
    • The inherent defect of locking plate is a factor that affects the prognosis of distal femoral comminuted fracture. The optimization of locking technology combined with digital orthopedic technology is expected to reduce the failure rate of treatment of distal femoral comminuted fracture.