Anatomic Distal Fibula Plate

Tyler Nicholson MD

Content Contributor

Evolution of Anatomic Distal Fibula Plate

There are many ways to surgically repair a fracture of the distal fibula. One such technique is to utilize an anatomic distal fibula plate to hold the correct aligned or reduced fracture fragments in place. These plates are anatomically contoured to specifically fit to the natural or native alignment of the distal fibula.

The plates are most commonly applied to the outer surface of the fibula bone and are fixed to the bone using screws. This commonly used construct allows for anatomic reduction of the fracture portion of the fibula as well as allowing for a variety of options with regard to type and size of screw, plate length, and fracture location.

Technology Spotlight

Stryker VariAx Distal Fibula Plate

The Stryker VariAx istal Lateral Plate and VariAx Fibula Straight Plate systems are intended for use in internal fixation of distal fibula fractures. This system is designed with patented SmartLoc polyaxial locking technology which allows for variability in plate and screw position and trajectory, allowing the surgeon to adapt the implant to the patient’s needs. The locking screws which thread into the plate are designed to allow for an angle of up to fifteen-degree variation from perpendicular which is a vast improvement from more traditional locking trajectory which allowed for very little variation. The system also has a low-profile plate design to more anatomically contour to the patient’s native anatomy as well as a clustering of distal locking screws which allows for more stable distal fixation.