A surgical instrument for inserting an implant between two bones, the surgical instrument comprising: a holder member; a housing member having a first end, a second end and a central bore extending there between, the first end of the housing member being fixed to the holder member and the second end of the housing member being configured to receive an engagement member; and an implant holding mechanism operatively associated with the housing member and the holder member, wherein the implant holding mechanism comprises the engagement member, a tube member and a knob, the tube member having a proximal end and a distal end with an opening extending between the proximal end and distal end of the tube member, wherein the engagement member is coupled to the distal end of the tube member and the knob of the implant holding mechanism is coupled to the proximal end of the tube member, wherein the second end of the housing member is configured to receive the engagement member, and wherein the engagement member moves proximally relative to the second end of the housing member when the knob of the implant holding mechanism is actuated, wherein the implant holding mechanism when actuated relative to the housing member pressingly engages and holds the implant for insertion between the two bones; and a length control mechanism for adjusting the overall length of the implant, the length control mechanism comprising a knob, a rod member, and a toothed member, the rod member comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the knob coupled to the proximal end of the rod member, and the toothed member fixed to the distal end of the rod member, the toothed member sized to be inserted into the implant and engage an internal length adjustment assembly to change the overall length of the implant. a holder member; a housing member having a first end, a second end and a central bore extending there between, the first end of the housing member being fixed to the holder member and the second end of the housing member being configured to receive an engagement member; and an implant holding mechanism operatively associated with the housing member and the holder member, wherein the implant holding mechanism comprises the engagement member, a tube member and a knob, the tube member having a proximal end and a distal end with an opening extending between the proximal end and distal end of the tube member, wherein the engagement member is coupled to the distal end of the tube member and the knob of the implant holding mechanism is coupled to the proximal end of the tube member, wherein the second end of the housing member is configured to receive the engagement member, and wherein the engagement member moves proximally relative to the second end of the housing member when the knob of the implant holding mechanism is actuated, wherein the implant holding mechanism when actuated relative to the housing member pressingly engages and holds the implant for insertion between the two bones; and a length control mechanism for adjusting the overall length of the implant, the length control mechanism comprising a knob, a rod member, and a toothed member, the rod member comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the knob coupled to the proximal end of the rod member, and the toothed member fixed to the distal end of the rod member, the toothed member sized to be inserted into the implant and engage an internal length adjustment assembly to change the overall length of the implant.