Patent ID: 6984234

Claim:
A method for joining first and second bones having top surfaces and side surfaces generally facing each other, the method comprising: inserting between the side surfaces of the bones a base plate having a first end nearer the first bone and a second end nearer the second bone, wherein the base plate has a first screw hole extending through the first end and a second screw hole extending through the second end; introducing a first bone screw through the first screw hole and into the first bone, wherein the first bone screw is introduced at an angle relative to the top surface of the bone ranging from about 20° to about 60°, introducing a second bone screw through the second screw hole and into the second bone, wherein the second bone screw is introduced at an angle relative to the top surface of the bone ranging from about 20° to about 70°, and covering at least a part of the first bone screw and at least a part of the second bone screw to prevent the first and second bone screws from backing out of the first and second bones, respectively.