Patent ID: 8029507

Claim:
A method of for correcting angular deformities of lower extremities bone structure of children and adolescents having a first bone portion separated from a second bone portion by a growth plate by promoting asymmetric growth by means of an orthopedic device comprising: a first hinge plate and a second hinge plate connected to each other at a pivot joint for pivotal motion therebetween, each hinge plate further comprising a hinge portion forming a part of the pivot joint, a mounting portion extending in a plane adapted for engagement with the bone structure, and a ramp portion extending within a plane disposed at an angle to the plane of the mounting portion, the pivot portion extending transversely to the planes of the mounting and ramp portions, the ramp and the hinge portions of the first and second hinge plates forming an operational recess therebetween; the method comprising the steps of: positioning the first and second hinge plates on the first and second bone portions in such a manner that the mounting portions extend substantially along a longitudinal axis of the bone structure to be corrected, and the hinge portions and the pivot joint are positioned transversely to the longitudinal axis; aligning the pivot joint and the operational recess with the growth plate so that the operational recess extend away from the growth plate, and the pivot joint is separated from the growth plate by a space to facilitate movement of the first and second hinge plates about the pivot joint; mounting the mounting portions of the first and second hinge plates at the first and second bone portions respectively; whereby an asymmetric growth on one side of the growth plate is promoted and the growth on an opposite side thereof is inhibited.