Paragraph Number

297

In certain embodiments, the compressor/distractor 2830 includes legs that are closer to each other at distal end of each leg than at a proximal end of each leg. The legs 1504/1506 and toes 1508/1510 of the compressor/distractor 1500/2830 are one example of such an embodiment. Advantageously, the cut guide 2810 can be customized for a specific patient. In certain embodiments, this means that the position and orientation of one or more of the first guide feature, second guide feature, bone engagement surface, first bone attachment feature, second bone attachment feature, first alignment feature, and/or second alignment feature, can be determined based on patient imaging data and can be engineered and fabricated to address a specific condition for a particular patient. For example, the position and orientation of one or more of the first guide feature, second guide feature may be such that a planter edge of a first cut surface of a first metatarsal 230 contacts a corresponding planter edge of a second cut surface of a first metatarsal 230 as the two cut surfaces are brought together to fuse the joint. The compressor/distractor 1500/2830 may translate and/or rotate one or the other or both of the first metatarsal 230 and first cuneiform 210 such that the two cut surfaces. In this manner, the cut guide 2810 and/or the system 2800 avoids a plantar gap between the two bones. Avoiding a plantar gap can be a factor in a successful fusion that also avoids non-union.

Added by DJM 2 2022