Patent ID: 7727265

Claim:
A method of installing a bone support plate assembly in a patient, the method comprising: (a) placing the bone support plate assembly at a mounting location in the patient, the bone support plate assembly having a length and comprising a plurality of plate members, including a first plate member adapted to be mounted to a first bone and a second plate member adapted to be mounted to a second bone, the first plate member having a first distal end which defines a first end of the bone support plate assembly and a first proximal plate member end, the second plate member having a second distal end which defines a second end of the bone support plate assembly and a second proximal plate member end, the plurality of plate members being slidingly engaged with each other such that respective adjacent ones of the plate members can slide with respect to each other; (b) attaching the so-assembled bone support plate assembly to such first and second bones by attaching the first plate member to such first bone and attaching the second plate member to such second different bone; and (c) during the surgical procedure, releasing any fixation internal to the bone support plate assembly between the first and second ends of the bone support plate assembly, which plate assembly fixation impedes, by such frictional engagement, or threaded coupling engagement, respective ones of the plate members from sliding with respect to each other such that the respective plate members can slide freely with respect to each other, in extension and retraction, after completion of the surgical procedure.