Patent ID: 7680542
Filing Date: 2010-03-16
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method of treating bone length discrepancy in a patient in need of such treatment, which comprises (a) identifying a target bone growth plate site; (b) making at least one percutaneous incision at the target site; (c) inserting a guide wire into the incision site transversely into physeal cartilage at the target site to create a channel; (d) inserting a radiofrequency electrode probe into the channel, wherein the probe is connected to a radiofrequency generator; (e) heating the probe to ablate the target site for a set duration of time; (f) removing the probe; and (g) surgically closing the incision; wherein a physeal growth plate on a bone in need of such treatment is destroyed using radiofrequency ablation epiphysiodesis.