remain unchanged in fig1 a d 1 is smaller than d 2 which is smaller than the width of the plate at the approximate center 10 of the plate again this structural feature functions to increase the flexibility of the plate towards the ends of the plate additional optional features include diamond shaped cross cuts or slits 82 on the bottom side of the plate between the holes notches 84 on the outer edges can be included to enhance the flexibility a combination of both can be used such as illustrated at 86 one plate can have one or both or any combination of the features described herein to achieve the desired flexibility profile fig1 shows a preferred bone screw 30 that is used to secure the bone plate 1 to a bone the bone screw 30 is preferably in the diameter range of 2 6 mm and of sufficient length to provide bicortical purchase bone screw 30 has a shaped head 33 which fits into the shaped countersink 14 in the plate 1 to produce a generally flush condition when the screw is fully inserted into the plate the bone screws 30 of the invention have a deep thread with sufficient pitch to allow the screws to bite into the bone and produce the compressive forces necessary to contour the ends or the plate to the underlying bone without the risk of stripping the screws while they are being tightened thread depth is measured by the difference between the outside or major diameter d 1 of a screw and the core or minor diameter d 2 this can be expressed as a ratio typically bone screws for long bones have a cortical thread form with a shallower thread depth which is sufficient for simply clamping.