Method for repairing bone fractures using bone-lock system

Abstract

Bone fractures are stabilized by submerging a bone-lock mending key into the bone, avoiding detection of the key through the skin. A fractured bone typically includes two bone segments having complementary surfaces that mate at the fracture site. Bone repair begins by forming respective gripping channels in the two bone segments. The gripping channels are positioned such that, when the segments are mated at the fracture site, the channels form a continuous gripping socket that spans the fracture. The gripping socket is shaped to provide a longitudinal passage with multiple extensions proceeding outward from the passage. The extensions may comprise fingers, branches, and other apertures channeled outward from the longitudinal passage, thereby forming gripping features such as ridges, flanges, and other protuberances of bone. As an example, the gripping socket may form a 'caterpillar' pattern, formed by multiple adjacent circular holes that are positioned in a line with a central passage extending through the circles. After forming the gripping socket, the bone segments are held together at the fracture site while a mending key is pressed into the socket. The mending key includes an elongated spar bearing multiple gripping protrusions shaped and sized to complementarily fit the socket's gripping features. Accordingly, when pressed into the socket, the socket's gripping features engage the key's gripping protrusions, thereby holding the mending key in place and stabilizing the bone segments.