METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING A WEDGE-LIKE OPENING IN A BONE FOR AN OPEN WEDGE OSTEOTOMY

摘要

In one form of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus forforming a wedge-like opening in a bone for an open wedge osteotomy, theapparatus comprising: targeting apparatus for identifying a cutting planethrough the bone and a boundary line for terminating a cut made along thecutting plane, wherein the boundary line is located within the bone; and anapex pin for disposition along the boundary line for providing (i) a positivestop at the boundary line for limiting cutting along the cutting plane, and(ii) a cylindrical opening extending along the boundary line so as to minimizethe occurrence of stress risers within the bone when the bone on either sideof the cut is moved apart so as to form the wedge-like opening in the bone. Inanother form of the present invention, there is provided a method for forminga wedge-like opening in a bone for an open wedge osteotomy, the methodcomprising: positioning targeting apparatus relative to the bone, so as toidentify a cutting plane through the bone and a boundary line for terminatinga cut made along the cutting plane, wherein the boundary line is locatedwithin the bone/ and positioning an apex pin along the boundary line so as toprovide (i) a positive stop at the boundary line for limiting cutting alongthe cutting plane, and (ii) a cylindrical opening extending along the boundaryline so as to minimize the occurrence of stress risers within the bone whenthe bone on either side of the cut is moved apart so as to form the wedge-likeopening in the bone; cutting the bone along the cutting plane, with the cutterminating at the boundary line; and moving the bone on either side of thecut apart so as to form the wedge-like opening in the bone.