What is the real difference between DCP and LC-DCP?
The DCP Plate was introduced by Synthes in 1966 and revolutionized compression plating. However, there is always room for improvement and in 1992 Synthes introduced the Limited Contact DCP Plate (LC-DCP), which quickly became the standard of the AO. LC-DCP has several important design improvements over DCP: The bidirectional Dynamic Compression Unit (DCU) hole, scalloped undersurface, and uniform plate strength. The DCU hole in the LC-DCP is symmetrical so it permits interfragmentary plate compression in both directions, anywhere along the plate. This allows the plate to be designed without a midsection. The underside of the hole is flared to increase screw angulation to 40° from 25° in the axial plate and screw angulation 20° from 7° in the transverse plane. The scalloped undersurface of the LC-DCP serves two purposes: it reduces plate-bone contact and creates uniform strength along the plate. Reduction of the plate-bone contact minimizes the area of bone and periosteum that is damage
