Patent ID: 8062296

Claim:
A fracture fixation plate system for use on a long bone having a metaphysis and a diaphysis, comprising: a) at least one end plate having a head portion for the metaphysis defining a plurality of fixation holes for receiving fixation elements that extend into the bone a slot and an unthreaded set screw hole intersecting said slot; b) at least one fragment plate having a first end and a second end with a plurality of bone screw holes therebetween, and a threaded set screw hole, said fragment plate having an end dimensioned to fit into said slot such that said threaded screw hole is aligned with said unthreaded hole; and c) a set screw having a head and a threaded shaft, said head seating in said unthreaded set screw hole and said shaft threaded into said threaded set screw hole so that said set screw securely longitudinally retains said end plate and fragment plates together in tension, independently of the bone.