Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A method for modifying a ligament connection between two bones by applying radio frequency energy to a portion of a ligament in a patient that functions to maintain two or more bones in a standard configuration in a species to which the patient belongs, but which are in a relationship to each other that is not medically acceptable in the patient, for a time sufficient to induce thermal shrinkage of the portion of the ligament. The method is particularly useful for skeletal-shift disorders by applying radio frequency energy to one ligament of a set of ligaments of a patient that function to align two or more bones in a standard configuration in a species to which the patient belongs but which are causing a skeletal shift in the patient because of an imbalance of ligament-induced forces in the patient for a time sufficient to induce thermal shrinkage of the portion of the ligament, thereby alleviating the skeletal shift. Patellar shift and curvature of the spine are two examples of such disorders.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim