Low profile dorsal plate

Abstract

A low profile dorsal plate for internal fixation of a radius fracture can comprise a single longitudinal portion having a distal end, and a transverse portion fixed across the distal end at an angle of about 15° to about 30° from perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal portion. The transverse portion can also have a z-axis curvature, or can be flexible to form a z-axis curvature, where the z-axis curvature corresponds to a dorsal contour of a distal radius. Also included is a first plurality of screw holes aligned within the longitudinal portion and a second plurality of screw holes aligned within the transverse portion.

1 . A low profile dorsal plate for internal fixation of a radius fracture, comprising:
 a single longitudinal portion having a distal end;   a transverse portion fixed across the distal end at an angle of about 15° to about 30° from perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal portion, and having a z-axis curvature or being flexible to form a z-axis curvature, where said z-axis curvature corresponds to a dorsal contour of a distal radius;   a first plurality of screw holes positioned along the longitudinal portion; and   a second plurality of screw holes positioned along the transverse portion.   
     
     
         2 . The low profile dorsal plate of  claim 1 , wherein the transverse portion is sufficiently flexible so that the z-axis curvature is adjustable after initial attachment of the dorsal plate to the radius. 
     
     
         3 . The low profile dorsal plate of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end is configured for adjustment of the angle between the longitudinal section and the transverse section. 
     
     
         4 . The low profile dorsal plate of  claim 1 , wherein the plate includes a metal selected from iron, titanium, chromium, cobalt, molybdenum, nickel, and alloys thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The low profile dorsal plate of  claim 1 , wherein the plate includes an alloy selected from stainless steel, cobalt chromium, and alloyed titanium. 
     
     
         6 . The low profile dorsal plate of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal portion has a flat cross-section. 
     
     
         7 . The low profile dorsal plate of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal portion has a curved cross-section. 
     
     
         8 . The low profile dorsal plate of  claim 1 , wherein the transverse portion has a maximum width of less than about 1 cm. 
     
     
         9 . The low profile dorsal plate of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal portion has a maximum width of less than about 1.25 cm. 
     
     
         10 . The low profile dorsal plate of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the screw holes has a countersink configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The low profile dorsal plate of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the screw holes is configured to accommodate multiple angles of insertion of a screw into the distal extremity. 
     
     
         12 . The low profile dorsal plate of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the screw holes exhibits a non-circular shape. 
     
     
         13 . The low profile dorsal plate of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the screw holes is elongated in shape. 
     
     
         14 . The low profile dorsal plate of  claim 1 , wherein the transverse portion includes an x-y curvature. 
     
     
         15 . The low profile dorsal plate of  claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the x-y curvature extends away from the longitudinal portion. 
     
     
         16 . The low profile dorsal plate of  claim 1 , wherein the transverse portion is linear. 
     
     
         17 . The low profile dorsal plate of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of screw holes are aligned along the longitudinal portion. 
     
     
         18 . The low profile dorsal plate of  claim 1 , wherein the second plurality of screw holes are aligned along the transverse portion. 
     
     
         19 . The low profile dorsal plate of  claim 1 , wherein the second plurality of screw holes are not all aligned along the transverse portion. 
     
     
         20 . The low profile dorsal plate of  claim 1 , wherein the angle is from about 18° to about 26°. 
     
     
         21 . A method for fixation of a distal radial fracture, comprising:
 partially dissecting a retinaculum of a wrist exhibiting a fractured distal radius to create a flap;   retracting tendons and the flap overlying the fractured distal radius;   attaching a dorsal plate to a distal extremity of the fractured distal radius, wherein the dorsal plate comprises:
 a single longitudinal portion having a distal end; 
 a transverse portion fixed across the distal end at an angle of about 15° to about 30° from perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal portion, and having a z-axis curvature or being flexible to form a z-axis curvature, where said z-axis curvature corresponds to a dorsal contour of a distal radius; 
 a first plurality of screw holes positioned along the longitudinal portion; and 
 a second plurality of screw holes positioned along the transverse portion; and 
   securing the flap to cover the transverse portion;   wherein the transverse portion is at least partially covered by the retinaculum so that there is substantially no direct contact between the tendons and the transverse portion.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the flap has a width of no greater than about 1 cm. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the transverse portion further includes an x-y curvature, at least a portion of the x-y curvature extending away from the longitudinal portion. 
     
     
         24 . A system for dorsal fixation of a radius fracture, comprising a low profile dorsal plate, wherein the dorsal plate comprises:
 a single longitudinal portion having a distal end;   a transverse portion fixed across the distal end at an angle of about 15° to about 30° from perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal portion, and having a z-axis curvature or being flexible to form a z-axis curvature, where said z-axis curvature corresponds to a dorsal contour of a distal radius;   a first plurality of screw holes positioned along the longitudinal portion; and   a second plurality of screw holes positioned along the transverse portion; and   a screw configured for insertion into bone and dimensioned to fit in at least one of the screw holes.   
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the screw is one of a self-tapping screw, self-locking screw, cannulated screw, cortical bone screw, or cancellous bone screw. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the transverse portion has a maximum width of about 1 cm. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the longitudinal portion has a maximum width of about 1.25 cm. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the transverse portion further includes an x-y curvature, at least a portion of the x-y curvature extending away from the longitudinal portion. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the angle is from about 18° to about 26°