Patent ID: 8491596

Claim:
A method involving (i) a cutting guide having a tibia-facing top surface that defines a tibia-facing top opening, a talus-facing bottom surface that defines a talus-facing bottom opening, and a tool passage extending between the tibia-facing top opening and the talus-facing bottom opening, and (ii) a tool having a distal portion that includes a cutting member and a stop collar, comprising: resecting bone of a talus to form a talus mounting surface; locating the cutting guide between the talus and a tibia so that the talus-facing bottom surface is positioned on the talus mounting surface; and forming a keel cavity in the talus while the cutting guide is located between the talus and the tibia on the talus mounting surface including (i) advancing the cutting member through the tool passage and into contact with the talus while the talus-facing bottom surface is positioned on the talus mounting surface, and (ii) manipulating the tool within the tool passage while the stop collar is in contact with the cutting guide.