Plating System Aids Foot and Hand Treatment

The CrossCHECK Plating System is indicated for stabilization and fixation of fresh fractures, revision procedures, joint fusion, and reconstruction of small bones in the hand, forefoot, mid-foot, wrist, ankles, fingers, and toes. The system may be used in both pediatric and adult patients. The single use system consists of a variety of bone plates and screws to be used in fixation fractures, osteotomies, and fusions in the extremities of the leg and arm, including the hand and foot.

The various plate designs use either 3 mm or 5mm screws, and include screws for both locking and non-locking designs; lag screws and cross-hole plates are included for compression. Plate designs include MTP, Lapidus, and 2–7 Hole Utility plates. All plates and screws are manufactured from type II anodization alloy, which enhances the fatigue strength of the device, and thus improves stabilization. The CrossCHECK Plating System is a product of Solana Surgical (Memphis, TN, USA), and has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“Specially designed ridges are built into the plates to enhance grip, and act as a buttress during the compression process,” said mechanical engineer Rebecca Wahl, vice president of research and development at Solana Surgical. “Studies have shown that similar ridges can also improve host bone health.”

Plating is a method of bone fixation in which one or more metal plates are applied across a fracture and anchored, usually by screws, into the fragments; the broken bones must first be surgically reset into their proper position. The method does have some drawbacks; after initially placing the plate on the break or fracture, the bones are compressed together and held under some slight pressure, which helps to speed up the healing process of the bone. Unfortunately, the tension provided by the steel plate is lost after several days and the break or fracture is no longer under compression, slowing the healing process.

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