the plate 210 preferably tapers in thickness from the body portion 218 to the head portion 216 a preferred taper provides a proximal body portion 218 thickness of approximately 0 098 inch and head portion 216 thickness of approximately 0 078 inch the taper decreases the thickness of the head portion 216 relative to the body such that the weight of the volar plate is reduced and an improved tendon clearance is provided the distal edge of the head portion 216 has an increased taper preferably approximately 60 u00b0 relative to a line normal to the head to a distal edge 221 the edge 221 is broken i e made blunt to prevent irritation or disturbance to the surrounding anatomy the head portion 216 includes four threaded peg holes 230 232 234 236 for individually receiving pegs 208 therethrough fig1 and 14 and a guide hole 256 for alignment of a guide plate according to a preferred aspect of the second embodiment of the invention the peg holes 230 232 234 236 preferably 0 100 inch in diameter are preferably linearly arranged along the head portion 216 and are provided such that the adjacent peg holes are provided further distally in a medial to lateral direction along the first and second sides referring to fig1 more particularly according to a preferred dimensions of the second embodiment of the invention.