Patent ID: 7867235

Claim:
A method for effecting displacement of bone for restoration of a skeletal joint using a bone restoration system, the joint including a portion of the bone having an articular surface thereon and a mating member configured to cooperate with the articular surface of the bone, the articular surface being disposed at a first position relative to the mating member, the bone restoration system including an actuator operable for cyclic, linear movement, the actuator having an extendable component and a secondary portion, the bone restoration system further including a housing configured for attachment to the bone and for securing the actuator, the method comprising: engaging the housing in the bone at a position generally opposite an underside of the articular surface; securing the actuator to the housing such that the extendable component is proximate the underside of the articular surface; operating the actuator such that the extendable component applies at least one cyclic loading condition to the underside of the articular surface, thereby facilitating a structural change in the bone proximate the articular surface; monitoring the bone for structural changes; moving the secondary portion of the actuator relative to the housing toward the underside of the articular surface when a structural change in the bone has occurred; and removing application of the at least one cyclic loading condition when the bone has achieved a certain structural change, including a change in the position of the articular surface relative to the mating member.