Ulna Distal Locking Plate

Key features and benefits of the Ulna Distal Locking Plate

Features:

• Anatomically Contoured Design: The plate conforms to the natural curvature of the distal ulna, ensuring optimal fit and minimizing implant prominence. This reduces soft tissue irritation and improves patient comfort.
• Multi-directional Screw Placement: Dedicated screw holes allow for screws to be inserted from various angles, providing exceptional stability for complex fracture patterns, even those extending to the ulnar styloid or involving the lunate facet.
• Secure Locking Mechanism: Locking screws engage with designated holes within the plate, creating a rigid fixation that minimizes micromotion at the fracture site and promotes faster bone healing.
• Streamlined Low-Profile Design: The low profile facilitates minimally invasive surgical techniques, reducing patient discomfort and expediting recovery times.
• High-Quality Biocompatible Materials: Crafted from biocompatible materials, the plate ensures long-term implant integrity, minimizes the risk of rejection, and promotes optimal bone healing.

Benefits:

• Enhanced Stability for Distal Ulna Fractures: The combination of anatomical design, multi-directional screw placement, and secure locking mechanism provides exceptional stability for fractures involving the distal ulna, leading to optimal healing outcomes.
• Versatility for Complex Cases: The ability to insert screws from multiple angles allows surgeons to address a wider range of fracture patterns effectively, even those extending to the ulnar styloid or involving the lunate facet.
• Minimally Invasive Approach: The streamlined low-profile design facilitates smaller incisions and less soft tissue disruption, resulting in faster recovery times and improved cosmesis for patients.
• Long-Term Durability: The use of high-quality biocompatible materials ensures the plate’s long-term functionality, minimizes the risk of complications, and promotes patient safety.

Indications for Ulna Distal Locking Plate

The Ulna Distal Locking Plate is specifically designed to address a variety of distal ulna fractures, particularly those involving the dorsal aspect of the wrist. Here’s a closer look at the fracture types where this plate excels:

• Extra-articular Fractures of the Distal Ulna: This includes fractures of the distal ulnar shaft without involving the radiocarpal joint. The plate’s anatomical design and secure locking mechanism provide optimal stability for these fractures, promoting proper healing alignment.
• Fractures with Ulnar Styloid Involvement: In cases where the fracture extends to the ulnar styloid process, the Ulna Distal Locking Plate’s multi-directional screw placement allows for targeted fixation of both the ulnar shaft and styloid fragment. This ensures comprehensive stabilization of the entire radiocarpal joint.
• Comminuted Fractures with Dorsal Involvement: The plate’s ability to accommodate multiple screws from various angles makes it ideal for stabilizing complex comminuted fractures with significant bone fragments on the dorsal aspect of the distal ulna.
• Fractures with Lunate Facet Involvement: For specific fracture patterns involving the lunate facet joint surface on the dorsal aspect of the wrist, the plate’s low profile and secure fixation can aid in achieving joint stability and promoting proper healing.
• Revision Surgery for Failed Distal Ulna Fixation: If a previous attempt at fixing a distal ulna fracture has failed due to inadequate stability, the Ulna Distal Locking Plate’s enhanced stability and secure locking mechanism can be valuable for revision surgery.

How does a Ulna Distal Locking Plate work

The Ulna Distal Locking Plate employs a unique design to achieve optimal fixation and promote healing in distal ulna fractures, particularly those involving the dorsal aspect of the wrist. Here’s a breakdown of its working mechanism:

1. Fracture Reduction and Plate Application: During surgery, the surgeon meticulously aligns the fractured bone fragments (reduction) on the dorsal side of the distal ulna. The anatomically contoured Ulna Distal Locking Plate is then positioned over the fracture site to provide initial stabilization. The low profile design ensures minimal disruption to surrounding soft tissues.
2. Multi-Directional Screw Placement: Unlike traditional plates with limited screw angulation options, the Ulna Distal Locking Plate features dedicated screw holes that allow for screws to be inserted from various angles. This versatility offers several advantages:

• Enhanced Stability: Screws can be strategically targeted to achieve optimal fixation across the fracture line, maximizing stability for complex fracture patterns, even those extending to the ulnar styloid.
• Addressing Specific Fracture Involvement: Dedicated screw holes allow for targeted fixation of the ulnar shaft and, in specific cases, the ulnar styloid or lunate facet. This ensures comprehensive stabilization of the entire radiocarpal joint or joint surface.

3. Secure Locking Mechanism: Once screws are inserted into the bone fragments and the plate, a dedicated locking mechanism comes into play. Locking screws engage with designated holes within the plate, creating a more rigid fixation compared to standard screws. This minimizes micromotion (tiny movements) at the fracture site, promoting faster bone union and reducing the risk of implant failure.
4. Biocompatible Material: The Ulna Distal Locking Plate is crafted from biocompatible materials designed to integrate well with the body’s tissues. This minimizes the risk of implant rejection and ensures long-term functionality, promoting optimal bone healing.

FAQ

1. What is an Ulna Distal Locking Plate?

The Ulna Distal Locking Plate is an implant specifically designed to address fractures involving the dorsal aspect of the distal ulna (wrist bone). It offers a secure and stable fixation method to promote optimal healing.

2. What types of fractures are suitable for the Ulna Distal Locking Plate?

This plate excels in treating various fractures on the dorsal side of the distal ulna, including:

• Extra-articular fractures (without involving the joint)
• Fractures involving the ulnar styloid process
• Comminuted fractures with significant bone fragments
• Fractures involving the lunate facet joint surface
• Revision surgery for failed fixation

3. What are the advantages of using the Ulna Distal Locking Plate?

• Enhanced Stability: The plate’s design and locking mechanism provide exceptional stability for optimal bone healing, especially for complex fractures.
• Versatility: It can address various fracture patterns, including those involving the ulnar styloid or lunate facet.
• Minimally Invasive Approach: The streamlined design facilitates smaller incisions and faster recovery times.
• Long-Term Durability: High-quality biocompatible materials ensure long-term functionality.

4. How is the Ulna Distal Locking Plate applied?

During surgery, the surgeon aligns the fractured bone fragments and positions the plate over the fracture site. Screws are inserted from various angles for optimal fixation, followed by locking screws for a secure hold.

5. What are the benefits for patients receiving an Ulna Distal Locking Plate?

Patients can experience faster healing times, reduced pain, and improved wrist function due to the plate’s stability and minimally invasive approach.

6. Does the Ulna Distal Locking Plate come in different sizes or configurations?

Yes, the plate often comes in various sizes and configurations to accommodate different patient anatomies and fracture patterns.

7. What materials are used in the Ulna Distal Locking Plate?

The plate is typically crafted from biocompatible materials designed for long-term integration with the body’s tissues.

8. How long does it typically take for a patient to recover after surgery with an Ulna Distal Locking Plate?

Recovery time varies depending on the severity of the fracture. However, the minimally invasive approach and stable fixation can lead to faster healing compared to traditional methods.

9. Does ZMD offer any additional support regarding the Ulna Distal Locking Plate?

Yes, ZMD provides comprehensive product support and clinical guidance to healthcare professionals. Our team can answer questions about proper application and offer valuable insights.

10. Where can I find more information about the Ulna Distal Locking Plate?

You can visit the ZMD website for detailed product specifications, resources, and contact information for further inquiries.