Plate for fixing the bones of a joint, in particular a metatarso-phalangeal joint

Abstract

A plate for fixing the bones of a joint, in particular of a metatarso-phalangeal joint, for the purpose of performing arthodesis. The plate comprises two sections, respectively a proximal section and a distal section, each section having a respective longitudinal axis of symmetry S1, S2 such that the projection onto a horizontal plane of the axis of symmetry S2 of the distal section presents an angle of inclination relative to the projection of the axis of symmetry S1 of the proximal portion, the projections inserting at a point A. The projection onto a vertical plane of the axis of symmetry S2 presents an angle of inclination relative to the projection of the axis of symmetry S1, their intersection taking place at a point A2 which is distinct from the point A1.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a Continuation application of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 255,204, filed on Sep. 26, 2002 and entitled “PLATE FOR FIXING THE BONES OF A JOINT, IN PARTICULAR A METATARSO-PHALANGEAL JOINT”, incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to the general technical field of surgical devices for fixing together and aligning the two bony parts of a joint relative to each other, and in particular a joint including the phalanges of a toe or a finger in order to perform arthrodesis. [0003] The present invention relates to a plate for fixing together the bones of a joint, in particular a metatarso-phalangeal joint, in order to perform arthrodesis. [0004] In a preferred but non exclusive application of the invention, the fixing plate is more particularly, but not exclusively, intended and designed for setting an angular position and then performing arthrodesis on a met...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] Consequently, the object of the invention is to remedy the various drawbacks set out above and to propose a novel plate for fixing the bones of a joint, in particular a metatarso-phalangeal joint, for the purpose of performing arthrodesis between two bone fragments under good conditions while ensuring that the relative orientation of the two bones to be fused together is determined with excellent accuracy.

[0013] Another object of the invention is to propose a novel plate for fixing the bones of a joint that makes it easier to put the plate into place and to seek a precise geometrical orientation.

Problems solved by technology

As a general rule, arthrodesis constitutes an operation that is difficult in that it sets a joint in a position that is defined and it does so in a manner that is not reversible.

Nevertheless, fixing plates of that type turn out to suffer from a variety of drawbacks, and in particular they are quite difficult for the surgeon to bend.

In addition, it turns out that bending is rarely performed with sufficient accuracy and that bending gives rise to deformed zones of the plate presenting edges that can be quite sharp and likely to generate irritation or inflammation on coming into contact with adjacent tissue such as tendons, muscles, ligaments, skin, etc.

Finally, plates of that type are unsuitable for bending through a varus-valgus angle, which means that they are not capable of implementing arthrodeses that are sufficiently close to conditions of optimum geometrical orientation between the two bones to be fused together for the purpose of reducing to the greatest possible extent any risk of subsequent difficulties and complications for the patient.

Fixing plates that are completely plane are also known, and although they greatly reduce the risk of complications for the patient following the operation of installing them, insofar as no bending is performed, they nevertheless do not make it possible to perform an arthrodesis in which the bones present specific dorsi flexion and varus-valgus angles.

Finally, it turns out that a fixing plate that has been bent suffers from weakening of its metal in the bend zone, and that can constitute a drawback in terms of strength.

Furthermore, the need to provide openings through the plate for passing fixing screws complicates the operation of bending the plate, specifically because of the presence of said openings.

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