Low profile periarticular tension band plating system with soft tissue neutralization cable tunnel/channel for use on the greater tuberosity of the humerus
A bone plating system comprising: a plate, where the plate is low-profile and capable of contouring to a bone; a variable number of screw holes, locking or non-locking; at least one channel or tunnel through the plate; and at least one flexible device passing through the channel or tunnel and passing through soft tissue attached to the bone. The low profile plate, in combination with the flexible device passing through the surrounding soft tissue, functions as a tension band and acts to neutralize the muscle forces tending to pull the bone apart at a fracture. The low profile tension band plating system is targeted for periarticular tensile fractures for repair of the greater tuberosity of the humerus.
1. A bone plating system comprising:
a plate, where the plate is low-profile and capable of contouring to a bone;
at least one channel or tunnel through the plate; and
at least one flexible device passing through the channel or tunnel and capable of passing through soft tissue attached to the bone;
where:
the bone is a greater tuberosity of a humerus;
soft tissue extends upward from the greater tuberosity;
the plate is generally T-shaped, such that the plate has a downward-extending arm and an upper portion capable of extending anterior and posterior on the humerus;
the at least one channel or tunnel passes through the upper portion of the plate; and
the flexible device passes through the channel or tunnel in the upper portion of the plate and is capable of passing through the soft tissue extending upward from the greater tuberosity.
2. The bone plating system of claim 1 where the at least one flexible device is capable of neutralizing tensile forces.
3. The bone plating system of claim 1 where the at least one flexible device does not surround the bone.
4. The bone plating system of claim 1 where the plate is capable of being contoured to the bone in situ.
5. The bone plating system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more holes in the plate and one or more screws attaching the plate to the bone via the one or more holes.
6. The bone plating system of claim 5 where the one or more holes are threaded and the one or more screws are locking screws, non-locking screws, or a combination thereof.
7. The bone plating system of claim 1 where the at least one flexible device is a cable, suture, wire, elastic polymer, or combination thereof.
8. The bone plating system of claim 1 where the soft tissue is a tendon, ligament, or fascia.