Combination targeting guide and driver instrument for use in orthopaedic surgical procedures

1. A method for guiding at least one elongated member and for imparting torque to a fastener during an orthopaedic procedure, the method comprising:

providing a combination instrument comprising:

a handle having first and second ends;

a driver attached to the first end of the handle for engaging and for imparting torque to the fastener; and

a targeting guide attached to the second end of the handle, the targeting guide having at least one guide hole for guiding at least one elongated member to a desired location on a bone;

gripping the instrument with the targeting guide facing forward for use;

positioning the targeting guide adjacent a bone;

guiding the at least one elongated member to a desired location on the bone with the targeting guide;

reversing the instrument so that the driver faces forward for use;

engaging the fastener with the driver; and

imparting torque to the fastener.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the elongated member guided by the targeting guide is a transcutaneous external fixator pin and the fastener is part of a clamping mechanism on an external fixator, the method further comprising:

using the targeting guide to place transcutaneous external fixator pins on opposite sides of a fracture; and

using the driver to tighten the clamping mechanism onto the pin.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the handle has an axis and a generally circular cross section perpendicular to the axis and an elliptical longitudinal shape such that the handle may be gripped with equal security and comfort with both the targeting guide facing forward for use and the driver facing forward for use.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the targeting guide further includes at least one guide hole extension tube extending from the targeting guide along a guide hole axis to provide an elongated bearing surface for supporting the elongated member, the end of the tube being scalloped to fit the contours of the bone, and wherein the guiding step comprises placing the scalloped end of the tube against the bone.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the targeting guide includes at least one sizing insert to change the diameter of the guide hole, the sizing insert including a tube having an outer diameter sized to fit within the guide hole and guide hole extension tube and an inner diameter sized to guide the elongated member, and wherein the guiding step comprises guiding the elongated member through the sizing insert.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the combination instrument comprises

an extension projecting from the handle, the targeting guide being mounted on said extension such that the targeting guide is spaced from the handle, the extension projecting along an axis of the handle for a first predetermined distance and then bending outwardly away from the axis for a second predetermined distance such that the targeting guide is offset from the axis in one planet.

7. The method of claim 1

wherein the driver comprises an engagement end extending outwardly from the handle and an attachment portion embedded in the handle, the attachment portion having a non-circular cross section to resist rotation relative to the handle during the imparting torque step, the attachment portion further having an enlarged end embedded in the handle to resist axial translation of the driver relative to the handle.