Patent ID: 7931680

Claim:
A method of lengthening a lateral column of a foot having a cuboid and a calcaneus, comprising: (a) creating a calcaneocuboid space in the lateral column of the foot between the cuboid and the calcaneus; (b) positioning a metallic plate assembly into contact with the cuboid and the calcaneus, the metallic plate assembly including a plate portion and wedge element that are monolithically formed together, wherein: the metallic plate assembly is configured so that the wedge element projects from a bone engaging surface of the plate portion, the wedge element includes (i) a laterally facing end wall that projects from said bone engaging surface, and (ii) a medially facing end wall that projects from said bone engaging surface, the wedge element (i) tapers inwardly from the bone engaging surface to an opposite bottom wall of said wedge element, and (ii) tapers inwardly from the laterally facing end wall to the medially facing end wall, and the positioning step includes (i) locating the wedge element in the calcaneocuboid space, and (ii) placing the bone engaging surface of the plate portion against both the cuboid and the calcaneus; and (c) fastening the plate portion to both the cuboid and the calcaneus with screws.