| abstract |
The relationship between first and second portions of a bone in a patient's body is changed by moving a wedge member into a slot formed in the bone. Force is applied against hard cortical bone by the wedge member. This force pivots the first portion of the bone relative to the second portion of the bone about an axis extending through bone interconnecting the first and second portions of the bone. As the wedge member moves into the bone, a side surface of the wedge member is moved into alignment with an outer side surface of the bone. The wedge member is fixedly connected with the bone. The wedge member is rigid so that the bone can immediately be load bearing. One or more openings may be provided in the wedge member to enable bone to grow through the wedge member. The wedge member may contain a material which promotes growth of bone through the wedge member. |