An orthopedic plate system comprising: an orthopedic plate including an longitudinal axis and a first through hole defining a plate internal wall with threads and an external surface, a fixed angle locking fastener and a variable angle locking fastener, characterized in that the orthopedic plate system further comprises: a variable angle locking mechanism assembly comprising a deformable locking insert having an insert internal wall defining an internal second through hole having a cross-sectional configuration that includes flat surfaces and forming a torque driving recess and the locking insert having external threads that mate with the threads of the first through hole of the plate, and the variable angle locking fastener having a portion for attachment in bone, and a head portion having external threads, the insert internal wall comprising a material that will deform relative to the material of the external threads of the head portion of the fastener so that the fastener head will seat in the locking insert in a locked relation to the plate; wherein the first through hole in the plate can optionally accommodate the fixed angle locking fastener or the locking insert. an orthopedic plate including an longitudinal axis and a first through hole defining a plate internal wall with threads and an external surface, a fixed angle locking fastener and a variable angle locking fastener, characterized in that the orthopedic plate system further comprises: a variable angle locking mechanism assembly comprising a deformable locking insert having an insert internal wall defining an internal second through hole having a cross-sectional configuration that includes flat surfaces and forming a torque driving recess and the locking insert having external threads that mate with the threads of the first through hole of the plate, and the variable angle locking fastener having a portion for attachment in bone, and a head portion having external threads, the insert internal wall comprising a material that will deform relative to the material of the external threads of the head portion of the fastener so that the fastener head will seat in the locking insert in a locked relation to the plate; wherein the first through hole in the plate can optionally accommodate the fixed angle locking fastener or the locking insert. a variable angle locking mechanism assembly comprising a deformable locking insert having an insert internal wall defining an internal second through hole having a cross-sectional configuration that includes flat surfaces and forming a torque driving recess and the locking insert having external threads that mate with the threads of the first through hole of the plate, and the variable angle locking fastener having a portion for attachment in bone, and a head portion having external threads, the insert internal wall comprising a material that will deform relative to the material of the external threads of the head portion of the fastener so that the fastener head will seat in the locking insert in a locked relation to the plate; wherein the first through hole in the plate can optionally accommodate the fixed angle locking fastener or the locking insert.