A spinal plate system that maintains intervertebral spacing and spinal stability is provided. A spinal compression plate includes two or more plates (32,34) coupled together to form an adjustable-length plate. Movement of plates (32,34) in a spinal compression plate may be uni-directional. Compression of a spinal compression plate movement may mimic natural settling of bones in a spine and/or distribute at least a portion of a vertebral load to an implant positioned between two vertebrae. Maintaining at least a portion of the vertebral load on an insert may increase bone growth and increase fusion between an implant and surrounding vertebrae.A removable spacer (134) coupled to the spinal compression plate establishes an initial separation distance between a first plate (32) and a second plate (34) during an insertion procedure.
