A bone plate for the internal fixation of one of the medial and lateral surfaces of the distal humerus, the bone plate defining a distal end, a proximal end, a top surface, a bottom surface, an anterior edge, an opposing posterior edge, and a curvilinear axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the bone plate comprising: a rigid body portion having a plurality of holes (220, 222, 224, 226, 228) extending between the top and bottom surfaces, each of the holes for receiving a fastener (1000, 1100, 1200) for attachment of the bone plate to the bone, at least one positioning foot extending from at least one of the anterior and posterior edges (248, 250), downwardly towards the bone surface, the at least one positioning foot comprising a bone seating surface being configured for seating on the bone contours of the distal humerus to aid in the positioning of the bone plate on the bone surface, a first segment spaced from the rigid body by a spacing extending transverse to the curvilinear axis and opening through the anterior edge, the first segment comprising a first side surface extending along the spacing in a direction transverse to the curvilinear axis of the plate, and a threaded through hole for receiving another fastener for attachment of the bone plate to the bone, the rigid body further comprising a second side surface extending along the spacing in a direction transverse to the curvilinear axis of the plate which opposes the first side surface of the first segment; and a deformable first bridge element having a crosswise width that is offset relative to the curvilinear axis of the plate and having an edge aligned in continuity with the posterior edge and extending between the rigid body portion and the first segment along the posterior edge such that the first segment is only attached to the rigid portion by the bridge element, the bridge element further comprises a third side surface enclosing the spacing at one end, wherein when a load is placed on the posterior edge of the plate, the load is against a smooth continuous edge, the spacing defining a narrower central portion and a larger end enclosed by the third side surface of the bridge element, such that the spacing is enclosed by only the first, second and third side surfaces and has one open end, the first segment and the rigid body spaced from each other such that the narrower central portion is adapted in size to retain a K-wire within the closed end. a rigid body portion having a plurality of holes (220, 222, 224, 226, 228) extending between the top and bottom surfaces, each of the holes for receiving a fastener (1000, 1100, 1200) for attachment of the bone plate to the bone, at least one positioning foot extending from at least one of the anterior and posterior edges (248, 250), downwardly towards the bone surface, the at least one positioning foot comprising a bone seating surface being configured for seating on the bone contours of the distal humerus to aid in the positioning of the bone plate on the bone surface, a first segment spaced from the rigid body by a spacing extending transverse to the curvilinear axis and opening through the anterior edge, the first segment comprising a first side surface extending along the spacing in a direction transverse to the curvilinear axis of the plate, and a threaded through hole for receiving another fastener for attachment of the bone plate to the bone, the rigid body further comprising a second side surface extending along the spacing in a direction transverse to the curvilinear axis of the plate which opposes the first side surface of the first segment; and a deformable first bridge element having a crosswise width that is offset relative to the curvilinear axis of the plate and having an edge aligned in continuity with the posterior edge and extending between the rigid body portion and the first segment along the posterior edge such that the first segment is only attached to the rigid portion by the bridge element, the bridge element further comprises a third side surface enclosing the spacing at one end, wherein when a load is placed on the posterior edge of the plate, the load is against a smooth continuous edge, the spacing defining a narrower central portion and a larger end enclosed by the third side surface of the bridge element, such that the spacing is enclosed by only the first, second and third side surfaces and has one open end, the first segment and the rigid body spaced from each other such that the narrower central portion is adapted in size to retain a K-wire within the closed end.