Fixation clamp

A fixation clamp for use in an external fixation system for holding bone fragments adjacent to each other with the help of fixation elements, said fixation clamp comprising

• at least one clamping assembly having at least one reception adapted to accommodate a fixation element along a longitudinal axis of the reception and a first contact surface;
• at least one locking element extending along an axis through an opening in the at least one clamping assembly for blocking the position of the at least one clamping assembly in a defined angular position, the locking element having a head and a shaft, the locking element head having a diameter larger than a diameter of the shaft, and
• a washer which is arranged between said locking element head and said at least one clamping assembly, the washer has a through bore surrounded by a recess that receives the locking element head and an opening extending radially from the bore to an outer surface of the washer, the opening having a width greater than the locking element shaft diameter but less than the head diameter;
• wherein said washer comprises a second contact surface and wherein the second contact surface is in contact with said first contact surface;
• and
• wherein the at least one clamping assembly and the washer are slidable along the locking element shaft while the first and second contact surface are in contact at least until the locking element head is clear of a washer surface surrounding the recess, which surface is transverse to the locking element axis and opposite the second contact surface.