The Stratum Foot Plating System is the next generation of anatomic locking plates designed to optimize ease of use and reduce operating time. The system contains multiple plate and screw options and features tine technology for hand-free application, pre-assembled compression ramps on the plates, and for the first time ever, a fully sterile system.

“The Stratum Foot Plating System is next-generation in several ways,” said Kelly Lackey, senior product manager, foot and ankle products, at Zimmer Biomet, in an interview. The Stratum System is designed based on Zimmer Biomet’s long history in plating technology.

“Stratum has an innovative tine technology, which allows for a hands-free technique, giving certainty that the plate is in place, allowing the surgeon to proceed with the surgery rather easily,” he said, explaining that the tines remove the need for additional K-wires to hold the plate down. “Tines are like little pegs that stick out of the bottom of the plate, and they are pushed into the bone, holding it in place. So now fewer hands are needed, making it easier on the OR staff ,” he said.

“And the second main feature that separates us and makes us next-generation is the attached external compression ramp that delivers up to 3.5 mm of linear compression, and bicortical compression that is approximately three times the amount achieved with competitive plating systems,” Lackey continued.

Bicortical compression is achieved by using a wire that goes through an external ramp that is engaged in both a near cortex and far cortex. When it starts compression, it pulls the near cortex and the bottom cortex together at the same time. This reduces the occurrences of any far side gapping in the bone and aligns the bones together, helping with the healing process.

The external compression ramp also can eliminate the need for a surgeon to place a compression screw before the plate is positioned on the bone, which reduces anesthesia time for the patient and saves time in the operating room.

Jennifer Gaff, product manager, foot and ankle, and trauma, at Zimmer Biomet, spoke from a patient perspective in the same interview. “The low profile and lightweight plates may help eliminate soft-tissue irritation,” she said. “With this, we are hoping patients do not encounter additional pain and ultimately experience better outcomes.”

When asked about value-based care initiatives being considered in the design of the next-generation orthopedic solutions, Lackey mentioned the low-profile and anatomical nature of the plates. “Because of that, the plates provide comfort for patients post-operatively and reduce the chance of having to remove the plate because it broke into soft tissue,” he said.

Gaff said, “There is tremendous value with this fully sterile system; knowing these kits come sterile gives confidence to the physician and facility that the system will not drive additional costs for sterilization and that patients are less likely to be exposed to contamination." Added Caroline Irungu, marketing director, Zimmer Biomet: “Zimmer Biomet is proud to provide solutions that reduce readmissions and secondary interventions and that improve overall outcomes.”

The versatility and functionality of the Stratum Foot Plating System "helps to optimize efficiencies in foot and ankle procedures,” concluded Gaff.