Importance

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Abstract

The invention provides an osteotomy device, and kit and methods for realigning varus angulated knees. The device involves a substantially wedge-shaped body having two intersecting principal surfaces angularly offset. These principal surfaces extend in a direction of a drive axis about a principal plane from an insertion end to a drive surface at a drive end. At least one of the principal surfaces is adapted to engage mechanically a surface adjacent thereto. The drive surface is also adapted to receive a force in the direction of the drive axis toward the insertion end. The kit of the present invention includes substantially such an osteotomy device having cannular opening along its drive axis and an osteotomy pin. A method of the invention involves making a transverse incision partially into the tibia; realigning tibial portions above and below the incision with respect to each other to create a predetermined angle A between opposing faces of the incision, thereby creating a wedge-shaped opening; providing a substantially wedge-shaped body having two angularly offset intersecting principal surfaces, wherein at least one of the surfaces is adapted to engage mechanically a surface adjacent thereto; and driving the body into the opening. Another invention method involves making the incision and realigning the tibia substantially as described above followed by positioning an osteotomy pin within the wedge-shaped opening; and placing the substantially wedge-shaped body having a cannular opening along a drive axis within the wedge-shaped opening such that the pin is positioned in the cannular opening of the body.

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First Claim