Patent ID: 8343199

Claim:
A method for fusing the subtalar joint of a foot, the method comprising: forming a hole in the calcaneus and talus bones extending at least as far as the subtalar joint; reaming the hole previously formed in the calcaneus and talus bones to form a reamed hole; inserting a first end of an elongated rod into the reamed hole, the first end of the elongated rod having an aperture; making a percutaneous incision on the side of the foot; inserting a cutting blade through the percutaneous incision and into the aperture at the first end of the elongated rod; reaming an articulating surface of the calcaneus and talus bones with the cutting blade; inserting a screw member into the hole after reaming the articulating surface of the calcaneus and talus bones with the cutting blade; and applying torque to the screw member causing the screw member to compress the subtalar joint.