Patent ID: 8652141

Claim:
A method of treating a foot having hallux valgus, comprising: positioning a first capsule anchor in a medial side of a metatarsophalangeal (“MTP”) joint capsule of the second toe of the foot, wherein the first capsule anchor is coupled to a first end of a first tether; positioning a second capsule anchor in a lateral side of a MTP joint capsule of the great toe of the foot, wherein the second capsule anchor is coupled to a second end of the first tether; and urging the second capsule anchor toward the first capsule anchor, wherein positioning the first capsule anchor comprises: inserting a sharp distal tip of an application device into the medial side of the MTP joint capsule of the second toe of the foot, the application device comprising an elongate body comprising a lumen disposed therethrough; and urging an advancement rod disposed within the lumen of the application device from a proximal position to a distal position, thereby urging the first capsule anchor out of the lumen through an opening defined in the sharp distal tip and into an appropriate position in relation to the MTP joint capsule of the second toe of the foot.