An Interview with Dr. Wil Adams, Henry Community Health Foot and Ankle Surgeon
Foot and ankle injuries can be devastating, affecting mobility and quality of life for millions of patients. Traditional surgical approaches, while effective, have often come with significant drawbacks including bulky hardware, prolonged recovery times, and the frequent need for secondary surgeries to remove irritating plates and screws. However, a breakthrough in orthopedic technology is changing the landscape of foot surgery: the OMNI™ Mini Plating System from Extremity Medical.
Dr. Wil Adams, who has been instrumental in developing this revolutionary technology, shares his insights on how this innovation is transforming patient care.
A Partnership Born from Innovation
“I have been a consultant for Extremity Medical since 2019,” explains Dr. Adams. “I have lectured around the country for them, and have also been included on 3 different implant design teams now.” This extensive collaboration has been particularly meaningful, with Dr. Adams serving as one of five surgeons from across the United States on the surgeon design team for the OMNI™ Mini Plating System.
The 5th metatarsal fracture plate within this system represents a particularly personal achievement. “The 5th metatarsal fracture plate specifically was my own personal design,” he explains. This hands-on involvement in product development ensures that the resulting technology truly serves both surgeons and patients.
Addressing Critical Gaps in Foot Surgery
When asked about the specific problems this new technology addresses, Dr. Adams is clear about its significance: “The mini omni system is a miniature plating system that provides sturdy, yet low profile design to help fix small foot bone fractures. The plates are often also used for reconstructive purposes.”
Dr. Adams explains how traditional approaches often fell short in providing optimal solutions for these delicate surgeries. The OMNI™ Mini Plating System fills this critical gap, providing the structural support needed for proper healing while minimizing the hardware footprint that patients must live with long-term.
Revolutionary Locking Technology
What truly sets this technology apart from conventional hardware is its groundbreaking innovation. ” OMNI™ Mini Plating System has a novel locking technology called Slot LockTM in every plate, that is one of a kind, and patented by Extremity Medical,” Dr. Adams explains. “No other company in North America has this feature available.”
This unique locking mechanism provides superior stability and fixation compared to traditional systems, representing a genuine technological leap forward in orthopedic hardware. The innovation addresses fundamental limitations that have persisted in foot surgery for decades, offering surgeons a more reliable and effective tool for patient care.
The Development Journey
Dr. Adams’ motivation for developing this technology came from direct clinical experience. “Using bulky, stainless steel plates in residency allowed me to see the cons to older technology, and the pitfalls that go with it, such as an increased incidence of removal in patients due to the soft tissue irritation they can cause,” he recalls.
The development process required significant dedication and patience. “It took us 4 years to complete the design project,” Dr. Adams notes. This extended timeline reflects the meticulous attention to detail required to develop medical devices that meet stringent safety and efficacy standards while genuinely improving patient outcomes.
Enhanced Patient Outcomes
The impact on patient recovery has been remarkable. “These plates are low profile, but sturdy, and offer enhanced compression to allow quicker bone healing,” Dr. Adams explains. “Using these plates allows patients to bear weight slightly sooner after surgery than a traditional stainless steel plate would. As demonstrated in our multi patient study, we fortunately had a 100% union rate when using the plates to perform great toe fusions for end stage arthritis relief”.
These improvements in healing time can significantly impact a patient’s return to normal activities and overall quality of life during recovery.
Long-term Durability Without Removal
One of the most significant patient benefits is the elimination of secondary surgeries. “Due to the plates being very low profile at 1.2mm thick, they in most instances will never need to be removed,” Dr. Adams states confidently.
This eliminates the need for hardware removal procedures that were common with traditional systems, reducing both patient burden and healthcare costs. The permanent nature of these implants provides peace of mind for both patients and surgeons, knowing that the fixation will remain stable without causing ongoing discomfort or complications.
Surgical Efficiency and Patient Experience
Regarding the surgical procedure itself, Dr. Adams notes that “Using these plates in surgery varies depending on the patient’s condition we are treating. Generally speaking, most procedures are performed in 90 minutes or less.”
The versatility of the OMNI™ Mini Plating System allows for efficient surgical procedures, with the streamlined design of the hardware contributing to more predictable and efficient surgical workflows. Patients can expect a more refined surgical experience with reduced operative time, which typically correlates with improved outcomes and faster recovery.
Safety Profile and Reliability
When discussing the safety and durability of the system, Dr. Adams shares important findings from his clinical work: “In the study I performed, I demonstrated that despite the plates being very low profile, they still can withhold obese body types. The plates are made out of type III anodized titanium and are very inert. They support great bone healing.”
This combination of strength and biocompatibility provides surgeons with confidence in long-term outcomes while minimizing the risk of adverse reactions across diverse patient populations.
Patient Selection and Clinical Application
Dr. Adams provides clear guidance on when this technology offers the greatest benefit: “In most instances where patients have a relatively thin soft tissue thickness on the top of the foot, these plates are superior to more traditional plates. Traditional plates were thicker and less favorably contoured from the manufacturer versus the OMNI™ Mini Plating System. Additionally, the traditional plates do not offer the proprietary Slot Lock ™ technology to provide improved bone healing”.
The decision to use the OMNI™ Mini Plating System requires careful evaluation of individual patient factors, but in appropriate cases, the advantages are clear and significant for both immediate surgical outcomes and long-term patient satisfaction.
The Future of Foot Surgery
The OMNI™ Mini Plating System represents more than just an incremental improvement in surgical hardware—it embodies a fundamental shift toward patient-centered design in orthopedic devices. “By addressing the real-world problems that both surgeons and patients face with traditional systems, this technology sets a new standard for what foot surgery can achieve,” said Dr. Adams.
“As we continue to refine and expand these technologies, the future of foot and ankle surgery looks brighter than ever, with improved outcomes, reduced complications, and enhanced quality of life for the patients we serve.”
To learn if this technology is right for you, schedule an appointment with Dr. Wil Adams by calling Henry County Center for Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine at 765-521-7385.
