title: Expanding indications of the horizontal belt plate: a technical note.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although the standard treatment for articular fractures usually involves open anatomic reduction and internal fixation with the concept of absolute stability, achieving adequate fracture stabilisation in multifragmentary patterns is always challenging. Several anatomical implants were developed to increase stabilisation and improve clinical outcomes in articular fractures. However modern implants, especially in developing countries, are expensive and not always available for routine use. Horizontal rafting plate has recently emerged as an alternative technique to treat complex tibial plateau fractures using simple implants that function as a large washer.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This technical note aims to describe horizontal belt plate use for treatment of periarticular fractures including the tibial plateau, thereby expanding its initial indication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Horizontal belt plate is an effective, safe, and inexpensive treatment alternative for complex articular fractures. However, the surgeon must carefully analyse the fracture pattern to verify if the horizontal belt plate can be used alone or with traditional techniques.
authors.affiliation: Departamento do Aparelho Locomotor, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil. Electronic address: robinsonestevespires@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Robinson Esteves Santos
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Pires
authors.affiliation: Serviço de Ortopedia e Traumatologia Professor Nova Monteiro, Hospital Municipal Miguel Couto, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Giordano
authors.affiliation: Serviço de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Hospital Porto Dias, Belém, PA, Brasil.
authors.forename: Jean Klay
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Dos Santos
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brasil.
authors.forename: Pedro José
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Labronici
authors.affiliation: Departamento do Aparelho Locomotor, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
authors.forename: Marco Antônio Percope
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: de Andrade
authors.affiliation: Serviço de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Hospital Quinta D'Or, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
authors.forename: Paulo Roberto Barbosa
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: de Toledo Lourenço
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001860:Bone Plates; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D057072:Intra-Articular Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016474:Weight-Bearing
keywords: Articular fractures; Belt plate; Complex fractures; Distal femur fractures; Fracture fixation; Fractures; Horizontal rafting plate; Proximal humeral fractures; Tibial pilon fractures; Tibial plateau fractures