Surgical Technique - Tibial Plateau

9. Construct anterior half-frame

Insert Schanz screws into the tibial shaft as determined during preoperative planning. Using standard Large External Fixator components and technique, couple the Schanz screws to a unilateral anterior half-frame. The carbon fiber rod should extend proximally for connection to the Hybrid Fixator ring. For maximum stability, increase Schanz screw spacing within the distal fragment and keep the rod as close to the bone as possible.

A typical assembly includes two 5.0 mm Schanz Screws, an 11.0 mm Carbon Fiber Rod, and two Adjustable Clamps.

NOTE: Finger-tighten clamps on the rod at this time and provisionally reduce the distal fragment to the reconstructed proximal fragment.


10. Attach Hybrid construct to anterior half-frame


Click for enlarged view of image

Remove the ring-locking nut and loosen the rod-locking nut on a Ring-to-Rod clamp. Note: the rod-locking nut can only be loosened, not removed.

Slide the clamp onto the rod with the rod-locking nut positioned externally for easy access.

Insert the threaded post into an accessible hole in the ring.

Replace the ring-locking nut on the threaded post and finger-tighten.

Wrench-tighten the Adjustable Clamps on the carbon fiber rod.


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The Membrane Domain