Patent ID: 8556945

Claim:
A fixation plate for fixation of a fracture at the distal radius, the distal radius bone having a volar surface, a dorsal surface, an ulnar side closer to an ulna, and a radial side opposite the ulnar side, the distal radius bone having a lunate fossa with a volar lip, said fixation plate for use with a plurality of fasteners that each have a fastener head portion at which the fasteners are coupled to said plate and a fastener shaft portion that can extend into the distal radius, said fixation plate comprising: a substantially rigid plate sized to accommodate the anatomy of the volar surface of the distal radius, said plate having a proximally extending body portion and a head portion oriented relatively transverse to said body portion, each with a bone contacting surface, a plane extending longitudinally through said body portion, and when said plane is oriented horizontally, said head portion angled upward with respect to said plane, said head portion having an ulnar side for placement on the volar surface at the ulnar side of the distal radius, a radial side for placement on the volar surface at the radial side of the distal radius, and a buttress portion distally tapering in thickness, wherein when said head portion is positioned on the volar surface of the distal radius said buttress portion extends distally a greater distance on said ulnar side of said head portion than on said radial side of said head portion to support the volar lip of the lunate fossa of the distal radius wherein said plate defines a first set of holes for receiving the fasteners in said head portion of said plate at a location proximal of said buttress portion, and wherein said plate defines a second set of holes for receiving the fasteners in said body portion.