Ratcheting torque wrench

1. A method of tightening a locking element in an orthopedic implant, said method comprising:

aligning a ratcheting mechanism over said orthopedic implant, wherein said ratcheting mechanism comprises a shaft portion and a sleeve portion positioned completely around said shaft portion;

operatively connecting a first wrench to said shaft portion;

directly connecting a second wrench to said sleeve portion;

rotating said second wrench counter-clockwise to establish a position for leverage;

holding said first wrench in a firm position; and

rotating said second wrench clockwise while said first wrench is held in said firm position

wherein in the aligning process said shaft portion of said ratcheting mechanism is a torsional shaft, wherein said sleeve portion fits over said torsional shaft, wherein said first wrench comprises a torque wrench, wherein said second wrench comprises a counter-torque wrench, and wherein said ratcheting mechanism further comprises:

a sleeve dial having a centrally located hole, wherein said sleeve dial fits around said sleeve portion such that the diameter of the sleeve dial hole accommodates said sleeve portion; and

a shaft dial operatively connected to said sleeve dial.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said ratcheting mechanism further comprises a tip operatively connected to said torsional shaft.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said ratcheting mechanism further comprises:

a ratchet housing positioned around said torsional shaft;

a ring operatively connected to said ratchet housing;

a ratchet gear operatively connected to said ratchet housing;

a spring operatively connected to said ratchet housing and said ratchet gear.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said ratcheting mechanism further comprises a retaining ring operatively connected to said torsional shaft.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein said ratcheting mechanism further comprises a ratchet fitting operatively connected to said ratchet housing.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said torsional shaft comprises a first end and a second end distally located from the first end, and wherein said ratcheting mechanism further comprises:

a hex tip operatively connected to said torsional shaft; and

a dowel pin adapted to operatively connect said hex tip to said first end of said torsional shaft.

7. The method of claim 3 , wherein each of said sleeve dial and said ratchet housing comprise indicator marks configured thereon.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein said torsional shaft comprises a first end and a second end distally located from the first end, and wherein said ratcheting mechanism further comprises:

a ratchet housing positioned around said torsional shaft, wherein said ratchet housing comprises a hole located through a wall of said ratchet housing;

a ratchet cover that fits over said ratchet housing;

a retaining ring operatively connected to said ratchet cover, wherein said retaining ring engages said second end of said torsional shaft; and

a ratchet fitting operatively connected to said hole of said ratchet housing.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein said torque wrench comprises a handle.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein said ratchet fitting accommodates said handle.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein said counter-torque wrench comprises a handle.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein said sleeve portion comprises a hole to accommodate said handle.

13. A method of tightening a locking element in an orthopedic implant, said method comprising:

aligning a ratcheting mechanism over said orthopedic implant, wherein said ratcheting mechanism comprises:

a shaft portion;

a sleeve portion positioned completely around and directly contacting said shaft portion;

a sleeve dial having a centrally located hole, wherein said sleeve dial fits around said sleeve portion such that the diameter of the sleeve dial hole accommodates said sleeve portion; and

a shaft dial operatively connected to said sleeve dial;

operatively connecting a first handle to said shaft portion;

directly connecting a second handle to said sleeve portion;

rotating said second handle in a first direction to establish a position for leverage;

holding said first handle in a firm position; and

rotating said second handle in a second direction opposite to said first direction while said first handle is held in said firm position.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein in said aligning process said ratcheting mechanism further comprises:

a hex tip operatively connected to said shaft portion; and

a dowel pin adapted to operatively connect said hex tip to a first end of said shaft portion.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein said sleeve dial comprises an indicator mark configured thereon.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein in said aligning process said ratcheting mechanism further comprises:

a ratchet housing positioned around said shaft portion, wherein said ratchet housing comprises a hole located through a wall of said ratchet housing;

a ratchet cover that fits over said ratchet housing;

a retaining ring operatively connected to said ratchet cover, wherein said retaining ring engages a second end of said shaft portion; and

a ratchet fitting operatively connected to said hole of said ratchet housing.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein said ratchet fitting accommodates said first handle.

18. The method of claim 13 , wherein said sleeve portion comprises a hole that accommodates said second handle.