Patent ID: 8641769

Claim:
An orthopedic stabilizing device for placement in an interosseous space defined by adjacent bony surfaces, comprising a plastically deformable monolithic body a.) expandable along a height axis between a first smaller height to a second larger expanded height by plastic deformation of the monolithic body said monolithic body having an upper bone contact structure and a lower bone contact structure, b.) having first and second matchable, partial columns that are not engaged with each other at the first height and are operative to directly engage each other and jointly span the distance between said upper bone contact structure and said lower bone contact structure at the second height to form a supporting structure along the height axis, c.) having a longitudinal axis, d.) having a lateral axis, and e.) operative to contact those adjacent bony surfaces when expanded, wherein the first and second matchable, partial columns are latchable directly with each other at the second height.