Patent ID: 8439914

Claim:
An external fixation strut having a longitudinal axis defined therein, the fixation strut comprising: a strut housing having an axial bore defined therethrough; a first ball joint coupled to an end portion of the strut housing, wherein the first ball joint includes a first ball joint cage and a first ball member, the first ball member being rotatably coupled to the first ball joint cage, the first ball joint cage including a bore defined therethrough, and the first ball member including a circumferential groove defined therein; a pin inserted through the bore of the first ball joint cage and partially into the circumferential groove of the first ball member; an adjustment sleeve slidably disposed within the axial bore, the adjustment sleeve and the strut housing being releasably coupled by a connector; an externally threaded elongated member; a second ball joint coupled to an end portion of the threaded elongated member; and an adjustment mechanism comprising a rotation element, the rotation element having an internally threaded bore defined therethrough, wherein the threaded elongated member is disposed through the threaded bore, the external thread of the elongated member and the internal thread of the threaded bore mating with each other such that rotating the rotation element causes the threaded elongated member to translate along the longitudinal axis of the fixation strut; wherein the adjustment mechanism is rotatably coupled to an end portion of the adjustment sleeve, the adjustment mechanism being operable to rotate but not translate relative to adjustment sleeve.