Patent ID: 7033365

Claim:
A method of assembling an intramedullary rod and an intramedullary rod insertion handle, comprising the steps of: providing an intramedullary rod; providing an intramedullary rod insertion handle; providing an implant assembly device comprising a shaft having a first end and a second end, and an elongated rod extending from the second end of the shaft, wherein the second end of the shaft has a screw engaging portion to rotate a screw; placing a cannulated connecting screw onto the rod of the implant assembly device; placing an intramedullary rod insertion handle onto the rod of the implant assembly device; placing the intramedullary rod onto the rod of the implant assembly device; aligning the intramedullary rod and the insertion handle to a desired configuration; and twisting the implant assembly device so that the connecting screw connects the insertion handle to the intramedullary rod.