Internal Fixation for the Distal Radius

by David L. Nelson, MD

(last updated 1/28/06; data last updated 2/4/02)

A very large number of plates have come onto the market in the last year and we are in the process of trying to get images and cases of each new plate.

This page will attempt to be a complete listing of all internal fixation devices available worldwide for distal radius fracture management. It is our goal to have a large library of images. This library will have not only images of the hardware, but illustritive cases and surgical technique guides. The name of the product is a hyperlink to an illustration of the device, the name of the company is a hyperlink to their website, at the location of their internal fixation device.

If you are a surgeon or orthopedic manufacturer and know of a device that we have not listed, please contact the Webmaster.

Internal Fixation Plates

Company	Product Name	Features	Limitations	Weight	Price
Alphatec Manufacturing	Small T Plate	Titanium plate
Avanta	SCS Plate (dorsal)	The original "second generation" plate, with prongs that support the subchondral bone	All of the subchondral support peg holes must be drilled prior to plate placement
Avanta	SCS Plate (volar)	Like the dorsal plate, for volar applications
Biomet	Colles Fracture Plate
DePuy/Ace	Symmetry Plate	A nice plate designed by Rene Esser, very low profile	No subchondral support, which is not a limitation if it is not required
Hand Innovations	Distal Radial Volar Plate	Original adjustable volar plate
KMI	Cobra Plate
Leibinger	Distal Radius Plate	Titanium plate with very low profile
Synthes	T-plate	Industry-standard first generation stainless steel plate	No subchondral support, which is not a limitation if it is not required
Synthes	Pi Plate	Another "second generation" plate, allows placement of either pegs or screws in a subchondral support placement location, does not require placement of all pegs or screws	First generation of plates sold were of commercially pure titanium and were subject to occasional fracture; now also available in stainless steel
Zimmer	Forte Plate
Other Internal Fixation Devices
Bionx Implants	Smart Screw