Fastener insertion method

1. A method comprising:

rotating a biocompatible, non-metallic threaded fastener at a rotational speed greater than 15,000 revolutions per minute; and

driving said fastener into a bone at said rotational speed, said fastener being formed from a material that is softer than said bone.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein rotating said biocompatible, non-metallic threaded fastener includes rotating a fastener formed from one of a polymer, a biocompatible non-resorbable material, a biocompatible resorbable material, a ceramic, a composite material, an allograft and a xenograft.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising terminating said driving when a predetermined torque limit is applied to said fastener.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising separating a first portion of said fastener from a second portion of said fastener when said predetermined torque limit is applied to said fastener.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising separating a first portion of said fastener from a second portion of said fastener when a predetermined torque limit is applied to said fastener.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising forming a pilot hole having a first diameter greater than a minor diameter of said fastener and less than a major diameter of said fastener, said driving including driving said fastener into said pilot hole.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein a drilling force is applied to said fastener as said fastener is driven into said bone, a total force applied by said fastener being greater than the force required for said cutting and said drilling.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first rotational speed is at least 25,000 revolutions per minute.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said material of said fastener is has a torsional strength that is less than a torsional resistance of said bone.

10. A method comprising driving a biocompatible, non-metallic threaded fastener at a rotational speed greater than 15,000 revolutions per minute into a bone, said rotational speed being based on a material density of said bone relative to a material density of said fastener.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein said fastener is formed from a material that is softer than said bone.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein said material of said fastener is has a torsional strength that is less than a torsional resistance of said bone.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising terminating said driving when a predetermined torque limit is applied to said fastener.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising separating a first portion of said fastener from a second portion of said fastener when said predetermined torque limit is applied to said fastener.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising forming a pilot hole having a first diameter greater than a minor diameter of said fastener and less than a major diameter of said fastener, said driving including driving said fastener into said pilot hole.

16. A method comprising:

a step for rotating a fastener at a rotational speed greater than 15,000 revolutions per minute; and

a step for driving said fastener into a bone at said rotational speed, said fastener being formed from a material that is softer than said bone.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein said material of said fastener is has a torsional strength that is less than a torsional resistance of said bone.

18. The method of claim 16 , further comprising a step for terminating said driving when a predetermined torque limit is applied to said fastener.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising a step for separating a first portion of said fastener from a second portion of said fastener when said predetermined torque limit is applied to said fastener.

20. The method of claim 16 , further comprising a step for forming a pilot hole having a first diameter greater than a minor diameter of said fastener and less than a major diameter of said fastener, said step for driving including driving said fastener into said pilot hole.