Multi-angular fastening apparatus and method for surgical bone screw/plate systems

A method for affixing a fastener to a fastener receiving member at a desired orientation, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a fastener comprising an elongate section and an adjoining head section disposed along a fastener axis, the head section comprising a thread;
• (b) providing a fastener receiving member comprising first and second opposing major surfaces, an inside surface extending between the first and second major surfaces and defining an aperture generally coaxially disposed about an aperture axis, and a tappable contact region disposed on the inside surface;
• (c) selecting an insertion angle at which the fastener is to be inserted in relation to the fastener receiving member, wherein the insertion angle is defined between the fastener axis and the aperture axis;
• (d) inserting the elongate section through the aperture until the thread of the head section contacts the tappable contact region;
• and
• (e) tapping the fastener into the receiving member such that the fastener is oriented at the selected insertion angle by threading the thread of the head section into the tappable contact region while the fastener is oriented at the selected insertion angle.