Distal Femoral Osteotomy Plate
^{Locking Technology Has Multi-National Patents Pending}

The Distal Femoral Osteotomy/Ostectomy Plate (DFO) was developed to provide the surgeon with a plate designed specifically for correcting medial (or lateral) patellar luxations due to excessive distal femoral varus (or valgus), and for other corrective osteotomies/ostectomies or fractures of the distal femur in large breed dogs.  Medial patellar luxations are commonly found in large breed dogs having distal femoral varus.  Since large breed dogs have longer femora, the quad mechanism applies a significant force to the patella.  These forces lead to a recurrence of patellar luxations.  The objective of the Distal femoral Osteotomy/Ostectomy is the straighten both the femur and the quadriceps mechanism to allow the patella to track properly.

Features & Benefits:

• The DFO plate can address correction of distal femoral varus/valgus from both the medial and lateral sides.
• The osteotomy is performed just above the trochlea.  The DFO plate has a 15mm space between the 2 compression/locking holes to accommodate an opening wedge osteotomy or a closing wedge ostectomy.
• For example, when performing a medial opening wedge osteotomy for distal femoral varus, the DFO plate would be applied in a buttress fashion to the medial side and a bone graft placed in the opening wedge defect.
• When performing a lateral closing wedge ostectomy for distal femoral varus, the DFO plate is applied to the lateral side in compression.  This may have a biomechanical advantage due to shared loading of the bone/implant construct.
• The DFO plate is also curved in the distal section to follow the natural curvature of the distal femur to minimize the potential of overhang.
• The DFO plate can be implanted using standard screws or locking screws.  When using locking screws, the plate/screw construct can withstand more than twice the axial load as compared to a standard screw construct.*

Kenneth A. Bruecker, DVM, MS, DACVS, Ventura, CA.
* Axial compression load testing was performed at an independent testing laboratory.
Technical report on file at NGD

Wobbler Plate
Locking Technology Has Multi-National Patents Pending

Patent Pending

Features & Benefits:

• There are 6 threaded screw holes that can accept either locking screws or standard screws; with locking screws being preferred due to their ability to improve fixation and stabilization.
• The screw holes are angled 25 degrees towards the midline of the plate in order to minimize the potential of the screws contacting nerve and vascular structures.
• Since the C6 & C7 vertebral bodies angle cranially, the screw holes are also angled 20 degrees cranially so that the screws can be positioned within the vertebral bodies. Screw holes that are drilled perpendicular to the plate (as in human cervical plates) risk penetrating the disk space and/or the spinal canal when used in the canine cervical spine.
• There are 2 drill holes on opposite sides of the plate. These holes accept k-wires that can be used to stabilize the plate while drilling the initial screw holes.