System and method for vertebral body plating

A spinal compression implant comprising:

• a plate attachable to a first vertebra, the plate having an outer side and a bone apposition side;
• a slot formed in the plate, the slot having a generally oval, elongated shape and a ramp;
• a lip monolithically formed as a part of the plate, the lip extending over a portion of the ramp;
• and
• a screw having threads, the screw insertable in the slot and threadable in a second vertebra, the screw having a screw head with an upper surface apart from the threads, wherein tightening of the screw moves the screw head along the ramp such that at least a portion of the upper surface of the screw head is positioned under the lip to inhibit backout of the screw,
• wherein the ramp of the slot includes first and second portions that each extend from the outer side of the plate toward the bone apposition side of the plate, wherein when viewed along an axis passing through the slot, the first portion extends in a clockwise direction about the axis and the second portion extends in a counter-clockwise direction about the axis.