The history of fracture management can be traced back to the prehistoric times. It was not until the late nineteenth and early twentieth century that operative treatments of fractures were contemplated. However operative treatment of fractures at that time was associated with devastating results secondary to infection with high morbidity and mortality. As a result, the mainstay of treatment of fractures remained traction and closed reduction within plaster of Paris. On the other hand, non-operative treatment of fractures was associated with the development of joint stiffness, disuse osteopenia and muscle atrophy, collectively described as __ampersandsignbdquo;Fracture disease?. During 1950s, the Swiss AO group standardized the use of plating systems. The AO group revolutionized the concept of rigid stable internal fixation with early functional mobilisation which resulted in a positive impact on fracture disease. With time, surgeons started gaining more confidence in the operative management of fractures when better results were obtained while adhering to the principles of strict asepsis and using antibiotics. The article describes the use of modern locking plates in the management of fractures in different areas. Overall, the literature supports using locking plates for fixation of periarticular fractures of long bones, multifragmentary fractures of diaphysis and metaphysis and periprosthetic fractures. Locking plates are not the panacea for all type of fractures. As clinical experience with locking plate broadens, new indications and applications will emerge.