Patent ID: 7635381

Claim:
A fixation plate for use on a metaphysis of a distal radius bone, the metaphysis having a concave articular surface at its distal end, said plate for use with a plurality of fixation pegs and K-wires, comprising: a substantially rigid plate having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a bone contacting first surface and an opposite second surface, said plate defining, a first set of at least three threaded holes formed in said distal portion of said plate, said threaded holes substantially linearly arranged in a medial-lateral orientation across said plate, each threaded hole having a predefined central axis through a centerline of said threaded hole that is obliquely oriented relative to each other in at least one dimension and extending substantially parallel to a curving surface defined by the concave articular surface of the metaphysis of the bone, said threaded holes being structurally adapted to engage a threaded head of a fixation peg such that the fixation peg is limited to extend in a fixed angle relationship along said predefined central axis so as to provide support that follows the dorsal aspect of the concave articular surface, and a first plurality of non-threaded alignment holes substantially smaller in diameter than said first set of threaded holes, each of said alignment holes located between threaded holes and having a predefined central alignment axis extending through a centerline of the alignment holes that is angled between the central axes of the threaded holes on either side of the alignment hole and being sized to closely receive a K-wire, wherein when said first surface at said proximal portion is horizontally oriented, said predefined central axes and said alignment axis all extend below said first surface in a distal direction and above said second surface toward an opposite relatively proximal direction.