The patient was anaesthetised and the leg clipped and made sterile in preparation for surgery. An incision was made on the cranial (front) aspect of the limb and the muscles and tendons moved out of the way to expose the fractured ends of the radius. The fracture was then reduced (i.e. the bone ends lined up) and the bone plate placed in position after being bent slightly to fit the bone contours. Special clamps hold everything in position until bone screws can be placed (three clamps can be seen here - Move the mouse over the image to highlight the instruments). Modern ASIF bone screws are self-tapping, but a pilot hole in the bone is required. This is drilled through a special drill guide (pictured left) to ensure exact alignment with the bone plate.