Method and device for determining the change in an object

1. A method for determining a dimensional change in a first object, wherein in an initial state said first object is connected to a second object via a joint, and wherein a first reference system is rigidly connected to the second object, comprising:

using a non-invasive coupling device to couple a second reference system to the first object;

ascertaining and/or storing a first location corresponding to a location of the second reference system relative to the first reference system, and a second location corresponding to a location between at least one reference point on the first object relative to the first reference system, wherein ascertaining the second location includes using a pointer to ascertain the second location;

separating the first object from the second object at the joint;

altering the first object;

re-assembling the altered first object and the second object to form the joint, wherein the first location is used to align the altered first object to the second object;

after alignment, ascertaining or storing a third location corresponding to a location of the at least one reference point relative to the first reference system; and

determining the dimensional change in the first object due to the alteration based on a change in location between the second location and the third location of the at least one reference point.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein coupling the second reference system to the first object includes indirectly coupling the second reference system to the first object.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein using the non-invasive coupling device includes using a belt or elastic strip as the coupling device.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein coupling the second reference system to the first object includes coupling the second reference system on a mantle that surrounds the first object.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein ascertaining or storing the first, second and third locations includes using a navigation system to ascertain said locations.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the joint is a ball joint.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein altering the first object includes at least one of cutting or rasping the first object, or introducing or attaching an implant, joint implant or femoral head to the first object.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein determining a dimensional change in the first object includes determining a change in length of the first object.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein ascertaining or storing the third location includes ascertaining or storing a location of a reference point different from the at least one reference point, said location of the different reference point being relative to the first reference system, said different reference point having a known positional relationship to the at least one reference point, and deducing a location of the at least one reference point relative to the first reference system from the ascertained or stored position of the different reference point and the known positional relationship to the at least one reference point.