Patent ID: 8083749

Claim:
A method for performing an open wedge, low femoral osteotomy comprising: defining an osteotomy plane in a femur, wherein the osteotomy plane terminates at a hinge pin axis; positioning at least one drill guide hole with an axis such that the drill guide hole axis intersects the osteotomy plane; deploying a hinge pin within the femur so that the hinge pin extends anterior-to-posterior, parallel to the sagittal plane of the patient; forming at least one guide hole in the femur along the drill guide hole axis; forming an osteotomy cut through the femur along the osteotomy plane, wherein the osteotomy cut substantially contacts the hinge pin; opening the femur along the osteotomy cut so as to form a wedge-shaped opening in the femur; positioning an osteotomy implant within the wedge-shaped opening in the femur; securing the osteotomy implant within the wedge-shaped opening in the femur; and wherein the osteotomy implant is secured within the wedge-shaped opening in the femur by passing a screw through the at least one guide hole in the femur and into the implant.