SpeedPlate™ vs. Traditional Plates: Why Modern Foot Surgery Needs Flexibility
Think of traditional hardware used in surgery as something like the brackets and screws you’d find in furniture. They’re great at holding things together—rigid, solid, and effective for keeping things in place.
However, that’s not how the human body moves, especially in complex areas like the foot. Traditional plates and screws stabilize bones, but they can hinder natural movement and sometimes work against the healing process, creating rigidity that may limit blood flow and increases recovery time. That’s where SpeedPlate™ technology comes in, designed to secure bones and work with the body’s natural mechanics to promote faster and more comfortable healing. Let’s look at SpeedPlate™ vs. Traditional Plates
Balancing Movement and Healing: The Key to Faster, Less Painful Recovery
For optimal healing, a balance is needed between stability and movement. While bones need to be held in place to heal appropriately, total rigidity can restrict blood flow, limit natural movements, and slow down recovery. SpeedPlate™ technology is engineered to address these challenges. By providing a flexible fixation that allows controlled movement, SpeedPlates are designed to help stimulate blood flow, reduce the risk of post-surgical pain, and shorten recovery time.
Why Controlled Movement Matters for Healing
- Improved Blood Flow: Movement promotes circulation, which is essential for delivering nutrients to the healing area and removing waste products.
- Reduced Pain and Stiffness: Rigid fixation can increase pain by putting unnecessary pressure on surrounding tissues. Controlled movement can reduce this strain, resulting in a more comfortable recovery.
- Faster Recovery: Allowing some movement without compromising stability helps the body heal faster by mimicking natural biomechanics.
SpeedPlates may make it possible to support the injury while giving patients a less painful, faster path to recovery.
How SpeedPlate™ Technology Works: Why Titanium is Ideal
SpeedPlates are crafted from titanium, a unique material that makes it perfect for bone fixation. Unlike stainless steel, which can bend permanently or break under stress, titanium has an elastic modulus that closely matches that of bone. This means that titanium can bend and flex with the body’s natural movements without breaking or compromising stability.
Key Advantages of Titanium in SpeedPlates
- Strength and Resilience: Titanium bends slightly with movement, allowing it to return to its original shape. This resilience means that the implant flexes when the foot moves but stays securely in place.
- Durable Flexibility: Like a strong yet flexible bridge, SpeedPlates can accommodate weight-bearing earlier in the recovery process.
- Precision Placement: The apex overlap design aligns the bone pieces more closely, creating natural compression that brings bones together in a better position to heal.
For surgeons, SpeedPlate™ technology is also maybe easier and faster to insert depending on their skill and familiarity. The design requires just one insertion point, making the procedure 465% faster than traditional methods, which means patients may spend less time under anesthesia and benefit from quicker surgeries.
How SpeedPlate™ Implants Differ from Traditional Plates and Screws
SpeedPlates offer distinct advantages over traditional plates and screws, which are often made from stainless steel and lack the dynamic properties needed for optimal foot surgery recovery. Here’s how SpeedPlate™ technology stands apart:
- Material: Titanium vs. stainless steel, which may allow for flexibility without the loss of durability.
- Functionality: SpeedPlates provide dynamic compression, potentially promoting natural movement; traditional plates are rigid and static, sometimes limiting movement.
- Comfort: SpeedPlates may reduce irritation and discomfort by allowing controlled movement; traditional hardware can lead to stiffness and pain due to rigidity.
- Procedure Efficiency: SpeedPlates for some surgeons are faster to insert, reducing surgical time and anesthesia needs, while traditional plates and screws can require more time and often multiple points of insertion.
For surgeons, SpeedPlate™ technology is also easier and faster to insert. The design requires just one insertion point, making the procedure 465% faster than traditional methods, which means patients spend less time under anesthesia and benefit from quicker surgeries.
How SpeedPlate™ Implants Differ from Traditional Plates and Screws
SpeedPlates offer distinct advantages over traditional plates and screws, which are often made from stainless steel and lack the dynamic properties needed for optimal foot surgery recovery. Here’s how SpeedPlate™ technology stands apart:
- Material: Titanium vs. stainless steel, which allows flexibility without loss of durability.
- Functionality: SpeedPlates provide dynamic compression, promoting natural movement; traditional plates are rigid and static, limiting movement.
- Comfort: SpeedPlates reduce irritation and discomfort by allowing controlled movement; traditional hardware can lead to stiffness and pain due to rigidity.
- Procedure Efficiency: SpeedPlates are faster to insert, reducing surgical time and anesthesia needs, while traditional plates and screws require more time and often multiple points of insertion.
Comparison Chart: SpeedPlates vs. Traditional Hardware
SpeedPlate™ technology combines flexibility and stability, patients may have a smoother, faster recovery and may reduce the discomfort associated with traditional methods.
Download Our SpeedPlate™ Brochure to Learn More
Interested in learning more about how SpeedPlate may enhance your foot surgery recovery? Download our brochure for an in-depth look at the benefits, applications, and advanced technology behind SpeedPlate™ implants. Don’t let traditional hardware hold you back—explore a better way to heal with SpeedPlate.