Adjunct plate options

If there is no room for bicortical screw fixation, different options may be used around the femoral stem to secure the plate:

• Unicortical locking screw fixation
• Cerclage cables integrated into the plate
• Locking attachment plate
• Alternative plate systems

Limited options are available for unicortical screws. These are often blunt tip screws that will abut the femoral stem. The addition of unicortical locking screws creates a length stable construct. These screws should not be used in isolation and must have either bicortical screws or cerclage fixation for adequate lasting stability.

Cable anchoring devices are inserted into unused plate holes or the drive recess of screws. The cerclage cable can be passed through the anchor.

Sit in screwhead recess to resist pullout of the screw plate construct.

Seat directly into empty plate hole to maintain position of the cable relative to the plate.

Combine a cable crimp and positioning pin in one piece. They seat directly into locking holes to maintain the position of the cable relative to the plate.

The arms on each side of the plate offer the possibility to avoid the prosthetic stem with 3.5 mm locking or cortex screws. The arms of the attachment plate are usually contoured. However, attention must be paid to the integrity of the locking threads in the plate.

The locking attachment plate is secured to the plate through the connection screw.

The connection screw consists of two parts:

• Upper part
• Conical part

Screw the conical part to the plate with a torque-limiting screwdriver.

The locking attachment plate can be prebent with a bending pin to adapt to the femur anatomy.

The locking attachment plate is positioned over the selected plate hole and secured into the conical part with the upper part.

Drill sleeves can be screwed in to be used as handles.

Implants position is verified under image intensification.

A screw hole is drilled with a drill bit. The hole direction should be checked with image intensification.

3.5 mm locking screw is inserted and screwed in the prepared hole.

The locking attachment plate is stabilized with additional locking screws.

Many different plate designs exist. Some plates offer multiple screw options at each level, utilizing a wider plate.

In addition, variable angle screw fixation can provide greater access to intact bone. This can be done by placing a cortex screw that is converted to a locking screw with a locking cap in some systems. Other plating systems have variability in the locking mechanism that can be used to create a locked screw in a nonstandard plane.

Screw diameter can also be variable within the same plate hole.

Addition of greater trochanteric specific plate and screw stabilization can be integrated into standard plates.