Technique
(shown for proximal humerus and distal tibia)


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1 Reduce the fracture


Reduce the fracture to restore anatomic alignment and rotation. Confirm reduction under image intensification.

2 Insert the guide wire


Place the 90° Cannulated LC-Angle Blade Plate Drill Guide [332.401] on the bone at the intended position of the blade plate as determined during preoperative planning. Insert a 2.0 mm Threaded Guide Wire, 230 mm long [292.65], through the 2.0 mm hole (middle hole) in the drill guide. This orients the blade at 90° to the shaft of the bone*. The tip of the guide wire should engage the subchondral bone. Confirm placement under image intensification.


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3 Drill the near cortex

Remove enough of the near cortex to allow plate insertion by using a 4.5 mm Drill Bit [310.44] through the holes adjacent to the guide wire. Remove additional cortical bone to allow the plate to lie flush by using a 3.2 mm Drill Bit [310.31] through the angled holes in the drill guide.

Remove the drill guide.

*Note: If the plate is contoured, the orientation between the side plate and blade my not remain 90°. It is recommended that the guide wire be inserted without the drill guide (free hand) approximating the new angle of the blade.

4 Measure for blade length

With the drill guide removed, use the measuring device* [319.21] to determine the length of the guide wire in the bone. Choose a blade length at least 5 mm shorter than this measurement. Using the 4.5 mm Cannulated Drill Bit [310.69] over the guide wire, drill the near cortex.

* Note: A 230 mm long guide wire must be used for accurate measurement with this measuring device.


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5 Insert the blade plate

For proximal humerus: Insert the 90° Cannulated LC-Angle Blade Plate over the guide wire. The blade will chisel through a portion of the near cortex and displace a small amount of cancellous bone*. Remove the guide wire.

Place an oblique lag screw through the most proximal plate hole to engage the far cortex. Use 4.5 mm Cortex and 6.5 mm Cancellous Bone Screws to fix the plate to the bone and stabilize the fracture.

* Note: If the plate does not fit flush to the bone, additional cortical hone below the guide wire can he removed with a chisel.

Additional instruments for plate insertion

The Inserter/Extractor Handle [332.402] can be used with the Small Slotted Hammer [332.403] to aid insertion. Light mallet blows are recommended in the proximal humerus to avoid over-insertion or disruption of the fracture.


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5 Insert the blade plate

For distal tibia: Attach the Inserter/Extractor Handle to the 90° Cannulated LC-Angle Blade Plate. Insert the plate over the guide wire. Use the Small Slotted Hammer for rotational control while using a mallet to advance the plate with light blows to the insertion handle. The blade will chisel through a portion of the near cortex and displace a small amount of cancellous bone. Remove the guide wire. Place an oblique lag screw through the most distal plate hole to engage the far cortex. Use 4.5 mm cortex and 6.5 mm cancellous bone screws to fix the plate to the bone and stabilize the fracture.

Implant Removal

Remove all screws from the plate. Attach the Inserter/Extractor Handle as close to the blade as possible on the 90° Cannulated LC-Angle Blade Plate. Use light blows with the Small Slotted Hammer on the Inserter/Extractor Handle to remove the plate.

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