Systems and methods for using polyaxial plates

A bone fixation assembly for treating a fracture of a bone site, the assembly comprising:

• a bone plate comprising a bone contacting surface, a head dimensioned to conform to the metaphysis of the bone, a shaft dimensioned to conform to the diaphysis of the bone, and a plurality of openings, wherein the shaft comprises a first thickness, at least a first portion of the head comprises a second thickness that is less than the first thickness, and the plurality of openings comprises:
• a first opening extending through the first portion of the head, wherein the first opening comprises an inner surface having a plurality of non-circumferential fins protruding from the inner surface of the first opening, wherein the plurality of non-circumferential fins comprises a concave upper surface portion,
• a second opening extending through the head, and
• a third opening extending through the shaft.

A method of reducing a fracture of a bone site, the method comprising:

• positioning at the bone site a bone plate comprising a bone contacting surface, a head dimensioned to conform to the metaphysis of the bone, a shaft dimensioned to conform to the diaphysis of the bone, and a plurality of openings, wherein the shaft comprises a first thickness, at least a first portion of the head comprises a second thickness that is less than the first thickness, and the plurality of openings comprises:
• a first opening extending through the first portion of the head, wherein the first opening comprises an inner surface having a plurality of non-circumferential fins protruding from the inner surface of the first opening, wherein the plurality of non-circumferential fins comprises a concave upper surface portion,
• a second opening extending through the head, and
• a third opening extending through the shaft;
• and
• engaging a first fastener comprising a threaded head with the first opening to thereby deflect at least some of the plurality of fins within the first opening relative to the head of the first fastener such that the first fastener may be inserted and retained at any one of a plurality of angles relative to the first opening;
• and
• engaging a second fastener with the third opening.

A bone fixation assembly for treating a fracture of a bone site, the assembly comprising:

• a bone plate comprising:
• a bone contacting surface,
• a buttressing portion,
• a first end on a first side of the buttressing portion,
• a second end on a second side of the buttressing portion, and
• a plurality of openings;
• wherein the plurality of openings comprises a first opening extending through the buttressing portion and a second opening extending through the first end, the second opening comprising an inner surface having a plurality of non-circumferential fins protruding from the inner surface and deflectable relative to a head of a fastener such that the fastener may be inserted and retained at any one of a plurality of angles relative to the second opening, wherein the pluralit of non-circumferential fins comprises a concave upper surface portion.

A bone plate for bone fixation, the bone plate comprising:

• a buttressing portion;
• a first end on a first side of the buttressing portion;
• a second end on a second side of the buttressing portion;
• a first opening extending through the buttressing portion, the first opening configured to receive a first fastener;
• and
• a polyaxial opening extending through at least one of the first end and the second end, the polyaxial opening configured to receive a locking fastener, wherein the polyaxial opening comprises an inner surface having a plurality of non-circumferential fins protruding from the inner surface, wherein the plurality of fins are deflectable relative to a head of the locking fastener when the locking fastener is inserted into the polyaxial opening such that the locking fastener may be inserted and retained at any one of a plurality of angles relative to the polyaxial opening, and wherein the plurality of non-circumferential fins comprises a concave upper surface portion;
• wherein the buttressing portion is configured to be pulled towards a bone upon insertion of the first fastener through the first opening, and wherein thereafter insertion of the locking fastener through the polyaxial opening is configured to fix the bone plate to the bone.

A bone plate for bone fixation, the bone plate comprising:

• a bone contacting surface;
• a buttressing portion;
• a first end on a first side of the buttressing portion;
• a second end on a second side of the buttressing portion;
• a buttress opening extending through the buttressing portion, the buttress opening configured to receive at least one of a deformable fastener or a non-locking fastener;
• a first polyaxial opening extending through the first end, the first polyaxial opening configured to receive a locking fastener;
• and
• a second polyaxial opening extending through the second end, the second polyaxial opening configured to receive the locking fastener;
• wherein the first and second polyaxial openings comprise an inner surface having a plurality of non-circumferential fins protruding from the inner surface, the plurality of fins being deflectable relative to a head of the locking fastener when the locking fastener is inserted into one of the first or second polyaxial opening such that the locking fastener may be inserted and retained at any one of a plurality of angles relative to the first or second polyaxial opening, wherein the plurality of non-circumferential fins comprises a concave upper surface portion.

A bone fixation assembly for treating a bone fracture, the assembly comprising:

• a bone plate comprising a bone contacting surface, a buttressing portion, a first end on a first side of the buttressing portion, a second end on a second side of the buttressing portion, and a plurality of openings, wherein the plurality of openings comprises a first opening extending through the buttressing portion and a second opening extending through the first end;
• and
• a plurality of fasteners for engaging the plurality of openings, wherein at least one of the fasteners comprises a head and wherein:
• at least one of the first opening or the second opening comprises an inner surface having a plurality of non-circumferential fins protruding from the inner surface, the plurality of non-circumferential fins comprising a concave upper surface portion, wherein the plurality of fins are deflectable relative to the head of at least one of the fasteners when the at least one of the fasteners is inserted into the at least one first opening or second opening such that at least one of the fasteners may be inserted and retained at any one of a plurality of angles relative to the at least one first opening or second opening, and
• insertion of a fastener into the first opening is configured to compress the buttressing portion and at least one of the first or second ends of the bone plate against the bone to thereby enhance stabilization of the bone fracture when the plate is installed on the bone.