Bone fixation systems and methods include a surgical plate formed of a shape memory material, and an insertion tool for bending the plate. Receptacles are formed in the plate inwardly of an outer periphery. The plate further includes a body central portion located inwardly of the outer periphery, disposed between the first and second receptacles. The insertion tool includes first and second arms configured to engage the receptacles, and a rod disposed between the arms and configured to engage the body central portion. The rod is movable between a first rod position, in which the surgical plate has the initial shape, and a second rod position, in which the rod engages and displaces the plate body central portion so that the surgical plate has the flexed shape. In some embodiments, the insertion tool may be operated to modify a length of the surgical plate.