Paragraph Number

80

Once the cutting guide 300 has been secured relative to the first cuneiform 210 and the first metatarsus 230, the first cuneiform 210 and the first metatarsus 230 may be resected. In some embodiments, a reciprocating blade may be inserted into the first slot 350 and moved medially and laterally, between opposite ends of the first slot 350, to make a planar cut that removes the distal end of the first cuneiform 210. Similarly, the reciprocating blade (or a different reciprocating blade) may be inserted into the second slot 352 and moved medially and laterally, between opposite ends of the second slot 352, to make a planar cut that removes the proximal end of the first metatarsus 230. The cuts in the first cuneiform 210 and the first metatarsus 230 may be made in either order. In either case, once both cuts are made, the metatarsocuneiform joint between the first cuneiform 210 and the first metatarsus 230 may be removed, resulting in exposure of “bleeding” bone at the distal end of the first cuneiform 210 and the proximal end of the first metatarsus 230. The cutting guide 300 may be removed, along with some or all of the pins 500. If desired, at least two of the pins 500 may remain in place and used to attach a distractor (not shown) to the first cuneiform 210 and the first metatarsus 230, such that the distractor can temporarily widen the space between the first cuneiform 210 and the first metatarsus 230 to allow for fenestration and/or other preparation of the cut surfaces of the first cuneiform 210 and the first metatarsus 230. Once such preparation has been carried out, the remaining pins 500 may also be removed.

Added by DJM 7 2021