Patent ID: 8277459

Claim:
A method of treating a bone deformity comprising: positioning a drill guide against a first bone; coupling a tension band guide having a receiving track to the drill guide; drilling a hole through the first bone; inserting an implantation cannula through the drill guide and the hole in the first bone; inserting a tension band through the implantation cannula and into contact with the tension band guide such that the tension band is urged through the hole in the first bone, around a second bone via the tension band guide, and back through the hole in the first bone; and locking the tension band in place with a locking mechanism wherein the step of inserting a tension band includes inserting a first end of a leader component through the implantation cannula and into contact with the receiving track, wherein a second end of the leader component is coupled to the tension band; urging the first end of the leader component against the receiving track such that the first end of the leader component is redirected by the receiving track upward on the side of the second bone that is opposite the first bone; urging the first end of the leader component over the second bone in a direction toward the first bone and through the hole in the first bone; pulling the first end of the leader component through the hole in the first bone such that the tension band is urged through the hole in the first bone, around the second bone, and back through the hole in the first bone; and detaching the leader component from the tension band.