Paragraph Number

289

Next, the surgeon may use the parallel compressor/distractor 1500 to compress the two bones together at the newly formed cut surfaces. This causes a desired rotation and translation of the first metatarsal 230 relative to the first cuneiform 210. This forces the cut surfaces (or faces) of the two bones to become parallel. Advantageously, the cut surfaces of the two bones can be forced to become parallel because the position, orientation, and angles of the fasteners 1956 of either, or both, of the proximal alignment feature 1980/2280 and distal alignment feature 1990/2290 can be predefined and customized for each patient when the cutting guide 1900/2200 is fabricated. This alignment enables parallel compression of the two bones together using the parallel compressor/distractor 1500 to provide active compression. Parallel active compression enables more effective compression of the two bones together. The parallel compressor/distractor 1500 is activated such that the first cuneiform 210 and the first metatarsal 230 are pressed together against each other.

Added by DJM 2 2022