Locking plate for bone anchors

Abstract

Disclosed is a bone fracture fixation system, such as for reducing and compressing fractures in the proximal femur. The fixation system includes a plurality of elongated bodies with a helical cancellous bone anchor on a distal end of each of the bodies. An axially moveable plate with a plurality of openings is carried by the proximal end of the elongated bodies. The elongated bodies are rotated into position across the fracture or separation between adjacent bones and into the adjacent bone or bone fragment, and the plate is distally advanced to apply secondary compression and lock the device into place. The device may also be used for soft tissue attachments.

1 . A method of treating a femoral fracture, comprising the steps of: 
 drilling a plurality of bores distally into the femur in the direction of a fracture;    advancing a fixation pin into each of the bores;    rotating each of the fixation pins to engage bone distal to the fracture; and    advancing a plate with a plurality of openings distally along the fixation pins to compress the fracture.    
     
     
         2 . A method of treating a femoral fracture as in  claim 1 , wherein the drilling step comprises drilling the bores along an axis which extends through the femoral neck and into the head of the femur.  
     
     
         3 . A method of treating a femoral fracture as in  claim 1 , wherein the advancing step comprises advancing a fixation pin having an elongate body with a helical anchor on a distal end and a plurality of retention structures proximal to the helical anchor for engaging the plate.  
     
     
         4 . A method of treating a femoral fracture as in  claim 1 , wherein the advancing the plate step comprises axially advancing the plate without rotating the plate with respect to the fixation pins.  
     
     
         5 . A method of treating a femoral fracture as in  claim 1 , wherein the fracture is a femoral neck fracture, an intertrochanteric fracture or a subtrochanteric fracture.  
     
     
         6 . A method of treating a femoral fracture as in  claim 1 , further wherein advancing a fixation pin into each of the bores comprises advancing a fixation pin having a first portion that forms a cancellous bone anchor and a second portion that forms a proximal end.  
     
     
         7 . A method of treating a femoral fracture as in  claim 6 , comprising separating and removing the second portion from the first portion.  
     
     
         8 . A method of treating a femoral fracture as in  claim 7 , wherein separating and removing the second portion from the first portion comprises rotating the second portion with respect to the first portion.  
     
     
         9 . A method of securing a first bone fragment to a second bone fragment, comprising the steps of: 
 drilling a plurality of bores through the first bone fragment in the direction of the second bone fragment;    advancing a fixation pin through each of the bores;    rotating at least a first portion of each of the fixation devices to secure the fixation pins to the second fragment; and    axially advancing a plate with a plurality of openings over at least a second portion of each of the fixation pins to engage the first fragment.    
     
     
         10 . A method of securing a first bone fragment to a second bone fragment as in  claim 9 , wherein the second bone fragment comprises the head of a femur.  
     
     
         11 . A method of securing a first bone fragment to a second bone fragment as in  claim 9 , wherein the second bone fragment comprises the tibia.  
     
     
         12 . A method of securing a first bone fragment to a second bone fragment as in  claim 9 , wherein the second bone fragment comprises the fibula.  
     
     
         13 . A method of securing a first bone fragment to a second bone fragment as in  claim 9 , wherein the second bone fragment comprises the femur.  
     
     
         14 . A method of securing a first bone fragment to a second bone fragment as in  claim 13 , wherein the first bone fragment comprises the femur.  
     
     
         15 . A method of securing a first bone fragment to a second bone fragment as in  claim 9 , further wherein advancing a fixation pin into each of the bores comprises advancing a fixation pin having a first portion that forms a cancellous bone anchor and a second portion that forms a proximal end.  
     
     
         16 . A method of securing a first bone fragment to a second bone fragment as in  claim 15 , comprising separating and removing the second portion from the first portion.  
     
     
         17 . A method of securing a first bone fragment to a second bone fragment as in  claim 16 , wherein separating and removing the second portion from the first portion comprises rotating the second portion with respect to the first portion.