Method and apparatus for forming a wedge-like opening in a bone for an open wedge osteotomy

1. A method for forming a wedge-like opening for an open wedge osteotomy comprising:

providing a positioning guide comprising first and second orthogonal sides, the first and second orthogonal sides each terminating in distal free ends;

securing the first and second orthogonal sides to bone such that the guide is parallel to a plane, wherein securing the first and second orthogonal sides comprises separately pinning the first and second orthogonal sides with first and second pins, respectively, proximal to the distal free ends such that the first and second pins are substantially orthogonal to each other;

providing an apex pin and inserting the apex pin through the distal free end of the secured second orthogonal side such that an axis of the apex pin lies within the plane, in an anterior to posterior direction, and provides a single boundary line for an osteotomy cut to be made, the apex pin is dimensioned so as to provide a cylindrical opening along the plane greater in diameter than a thickness of the osteotomy cut to be made along the plane, the anterior to posterior arranged apex pin extends along the entire boundary line so as to provide (i) a positive stop along an entire length of the boundary line within the bone for limiting cutting depth, and (ii) a cylindrical opening extending along the boundary line so as to minimize the occurrence of stress risers within the bone when the bone on either side of the osteotomy cut is made and the bone is moved apart;

affixing a cutting guide directly to the positioning guide to identify a generally anteromedial cutting plane through the bone, wherein the cutting plane intersects the plane of the positioning guide;

cutting the bone along the cutting plane and stopping the cutting with the apex pin at the boundary line; and

moving portions of the bone on either side of the cut apart to form the wedge-like opening for the open wedge osteotomy.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the bone is the tibia.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the bone is the tibia, and further wherein the cutting guide is configured so that the cutting plane and boundary line are determined through reference to a tibial plateau.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the positioning guide comprises an alignment edge, and further wherein the positioning guide and cutting guide are configured so that the cutting plane and the boundary line are correctly located when the alignment edge is properly positioned relative to an anterior-posterior slope.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the alignment edge comprises a top surface of the positioning guide.

6. A method according to claim 1 :

wherein the positioning guide is configured for attachment to the bone so as to establish the cutting plane and the boundary line relative to the bone; and

wherein the cutting guide is configured for attachment to the positioning guide so as to align a cutting slot with the cutting plane.

7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the distal free end of the first orthogonal side is parallel to the first orthogonal side, and the distal free end of the second orthogonal side is parallel to the second orthogonal side.

8. A method according to claim 1 , wherein affixing the cutting guide further comprises mounting the cutting guide to the positioning guide in a horizontal direction in relation to the positioning guide.

9. A method according to claim 1 further comprising advancing a set screw though the positioning guide to contact the bone.

10. A method according to claim 9 , wherein advancing the set screw though the positioning guide further comprises advancing the set screw through the second orthogonal side.

11. A method according to claim 10 , wherein advancing the set screw through the second orthogonal side further comprises advancing the set screw in a direction orthogonal to the first pin.