Strut plate and cabling system

Abstract

A bone plate assembly and method of utilizing same are disclosed. The assembly includes at least two plates affixed to the bone in two different locations. One of the plates includes a porous bone in-growth surface, and may be entirely porous. The assembly may further include at least one bone screw and cable for affixing the plates to the bone. In the method of use, the plates may be affixed by the screws and/or cables and the plate including the porous surface may be left in place after bone is allowed to grow therein.

1 . A bone plate assembly for fixing a fracture of a bone comprising:
 a first bone plate attached to the bone; and   a second bone plate attached to the bone, the second bone plate including a porous bone in-growth surface.   
     
     
         2 . The bone plate assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second bone plates are attached to opposite sides of the bone. 
     
     
         3 . The bone plate assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one screw extending through the first bone plate and into the bone and at least one cable extending around the first and second plates. 
     
     
         4 . The bone plate assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one screw is cannulated and the at least one cable extends therethrough. 
     
     
         5 . The bone plate assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the first plate includes a channel or slot and the at least one cable extends through the channel or slot. 
     
     
         6 . The bone plate assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second bone plate is entirely porous. 
     
     
         7 . The bone plate assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the bone in-growth surface is attached to a solid portion. 
     
     
         8 . The bone plate assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second plates are metallic. 
     
     
         9 . A method of fixing a fracture of a bone comprising the steps of:
 attaching a first plate to the bone so that the first plate spans at least a portion of the fracture;   attaching a second plate to the bone so that the second plate spans at least a portion of the fracture; and   allowing bone to grow into at least a portion of the second plate.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of removing the first plate subsequent to the allowing step. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the second plate includes a porous bone in-growth surface. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the attaching the first plate step includes inserting at least one bone screw through the first plate and into the bone. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the attaching steps include wrapping at least one cable around the first and second plates. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the cable is placed through the at least one screw. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the cable is placed through a channel or slot formed in the first plate. 
     
     
         16 . A bone plate assembly for fixing a fracture of a bone comprising:
 a first bone plate attached to the bone;   a second bone plate attached to an opposite side of the bone, the second bone plate being formed entirely of a porous bone in-growth material; and   at least one screw extending through the first bone plate and into the bone and at least one cable extending around the first and second plates.   
     
     
         17 . The bone plate assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the first plate includes a channel or slot and the at least one cable extends through the channel or slot. 
     
     
         18 . The bone plate assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second plates are metallic. 
     
     
         19 . The bone plate assembly of  claim 16 , further comprising a plurality of screws and cables. 
     
     
         20 . The bone plate assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second bone plates are formed of different materials.