Disclosed is a method for forming an orthopaedic implant. The method comprises determining one or more parameters of a bone, of a subject, to which the implant is to be attached, and calculating specifications based on parameters. That calculation includes calculating a mechanical property relating to elasticity of the implant, a length of the implant, and positions of two or more fixation locations by which to fix the implant to the bone. The method further comprises forming the implant based on the specifications, wherein each fixation location comprises a longitudinal axis through the implant, and calculating specifications comprises calculating a trajectory for the longitudinal axis of the respective fixation location.

A bone plate (1) for positioning along a medial or lateral portion of a clavicle including an upper surface (2) which, in an operative position, faces away from the clavicle, a lower surface (3) which, in the operative position, faces toward the clavicle, a non-linear central longitudinal axis (4), a middle portion (5) of the length L.sub.M, a left terminal portion (6) of the length L.sub.L extending from the left end of the middle portion having a plurality of circular screw holes (8) for receiving bone screws, and a right terminal portion (7) of the length L.sub.R extending from the right end of the middle portion having a plurality of circular screw holes (9) for receiving bone screws. The total length L of the bone plate corresponds to L=L.sub.M+L.sub.L+L.sub.R, and at least one of the circular screw holes is a variable angle screw hole.

A femur fixation system includes an intramedullary nail that includes a first bending stiffness and a bone plate that includes a second bending stiffness and a second torsional stiffness. In the femur fixation system either at least one of the second torsional stiffness compensates for the first torsional stiffness and the first torsional stiffness is insufficient to enable the intramedullary nail to stabilize the bone fracture independently of the bone plate or the first bending stiffness compensates for the second bending stiffness and the second bending stiffness is insufficient to enable the bone plate to stabilize the bone fracture independently of the intramedullary nail.

Apparatus and methods are provided for using a plate to fuse bones together, including reducing or stabilizing a fracture or osteotomy. Legs of the plate are inserted into pre-drilled guide holes in one of the bones and one or more screws are inserted through apertures and into another of the bones to secure the plate to the bones. A plate insertion tool can be used to temporarily tension the legs prior to insertion into predrilled guide holes in a bone by bending or pivoting the legs away from the body. A tensioning tool can be used to tension the plate after the legs are inserted into the guide holes in the bone and during the insertion of one or more of the screws.

An implant for the stabilization of bones or vertebrae is provided, the implant being a solid body including a longitudinal axis that defines a longitudinal direction and including a flexible section that has a surface and has a length in the longitudinal direction, the flexible section including at least one cavity located near the surface and having a width in the longitudinal direction that is smaller than the length of the flexible section, the at least one cavity being connected to the surface through at least one slit, and a width of the slit in the longitudinal direction being smaller than the width of the cavity.

An implant for the stabilization of bones or vertebrae is provided, the implant being a solid body including a longitudinal axis that defines a longitudinal direction and including a flexible section that has a surface and has a length in the longitudinal direction, the flexible section including at least one cavity located near the surface and having a width in the longitudinal direction that is smaller than the length of the flexible section, the at least one cavity being connected to the surface through at least one slit, and a width of the slit in the longitudinal direction being smaller than the width of the cavity.

A bone plate and method for use thereof affords use of at least two surgical approaches to attach the bone plate to a fractured bone to facilitate reduction and repair thereof. The bone plate includes two domains extending in different directions from a transition zone. The directions in which each of the two domains extend are generally opposite, and the transition zone is configured to afford portions of the two domains to be substantially disposed in planes that are transverse to one another.

A bone plate and method for use thereof affords use of at least two surgical approaches to attach the bone plate to a fractured bone to facilitate reduction and repair thereof. The bone plate includes two domains extending in different directions from a transition zone. The directions in which each of the two domains extend are generally opposite, and the transition zone is configured to afford portions of the two domains to be substantially disposed in planes that are transverse to one another.

A surgical implant system includes an implant and a fixation member for securing the implant to tissue. The implant and the fixation member together comprise a single monolithic structure. The implant includes an insertion instrument. The implant, the fixation member, and the insertion instrument together comprise a single monolithic structure and are constructed from a single material. The implant is monolithically connected to the fixation member at a first frangible connection and is monolithically connected to the insertion instrument at a second frangible connection. Each of the frangible connections can be broken when force is applied.

A surgical implant system includes an implant and a fixation member for securing the implant to tissue. The implant and the fixation member together comprise a single monolithic structure. The implant includes an insertion instrument. The implant, the fixation member, and the insertion instrument together comprise a single monolithic structure and are constructed from a single material. The implant is monolithically connected to the fixation member at a first frangible connection and is monolithically connected to the insertion instrument at a second frangible connection. Each of the frangible connections can be broken when force is applied.