Patent ID: 8551093

Claim:
A method for treating at least one bone fracture, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first fracture fixation implant and a second fracture fixation implant wherein the first fracture fixation implant comprises a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the shaft defining a longitudinal axis between the proximal end and the distal end, a plurality of blades being disposed on at least a distal bladed portion of the shaft and helically twisted about the longitudinal axis, a non-bladed portion of the shaft extending proximally from the bladed portion, the non-bladed portion including a tapered region having a diameter that decreases in a direction toward the bladed portion and a substantially flat engagement surface configured and dimensioned to be engaged by a prong of a body member, the first fracture fixation implant including a distal and proximal stop surfaces at distal and proximal ends, respectively, of the flat engagement surface, wherein the second fracture fixation implant comprises a bore configured to receive the first fracture fixation implant; (b) positioning the second fracture fixation implant in relation to a first bone fracture; and (c) inserting the first fracture fixation implant through the bore of the second fracture fixation implant so that at least a part of the non-bladed portion extends on a distal side of the second fracture fixation implant, the first fracture fixation implant being allowed to slide within the bore, wherein engagement of the prong with the substantially flat engagement surface prevents rotation of the first fracture fixation implant and wherein engagement of the prong with the distal and proximal stop surfaces defines a permitted range of sliding motion of the first fracture fixation implant within the second fracture fixation implant when the first fixation implant is in a final installed position therewithin.