Patent ID: 7837717

Claim:
A method for fixation of a bone fracture of a bone, the method comprising: (a) positioning a bone plate on a surface of the bone, the bone plate including a plurality of openings; (b) boring through the bone with a first elongated element, the first elongated element having a first distal end, a first proximal end, and an intermediate portion interposed therebetween, wherein the boring through the bone includes boring the first elongated element through the bone until the first distal end is located outside the bone opposite the bone plate and the intermediate portion is located within the bone; (c) positioning an elongated tension element adjacent the first elongated element, the elongated tension element having a second distal end and a second proximal end, said elongated tension element having a distal anchor portion located at the second distal end (d) mating the second proximal end of the elongated tension element with the first distal end of the first elongated element; (e) advancing the elongated tension element into and through the bone so that the second proximal end exits the bone while maintaining the second proximal end and the first distal end in mating contact with each other; (f) separating the first elongated element from the elongated tension element after the second proximal end of the elongated tension element exits the bone; (g) advancing the second proximal end of the elongated tension element through one of the plurality of openings in the bone plate after step (e); (h) tensioning the elongated tension element after step (g); and (i) anchoring the elongated tension element to the bone plate with a proximal anchor during step (h).