Orthopedic device and method for correcting angular bone deformity

Abstract

An orthopedic device and method for correcting angular deformation of a bone structure having a growth plate. The device includes first and second hinge members connected together at a hinge joint. The device is adapted for mounting the orthopedic device to the bone structure with the pivot joint positioned over the growth plate. Alignment of the pivot joint with the growth plate promotes asymmetric growth of the growth plate to thereby correct the angular deformation.

1 . An orthopedic device for correcting angular deformation of a bone structure having a first bone portion separated from a second bone portion by a growth plate, the device comprising: 
 a first hinge member adapted for connection to the first bone portion;    a second hinge member pivotally connected to the first hinge member at a pivot joint and adapted for connection to the second bone portion;    wherein alignment of the pivot joint with the growth plate promotes asymmetric growth of the growth plate to thereby correct the angular deformation.    
   
   
       2 . An orthopedic device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second hinge members comprise first and second hinge plates, respectively, each hinge plate comprising a mounting portion with a first surface adapted to face one of the bone portions.  
   
   
       3 . An orthopedic device according to  claim 2 , wherein each hinge plate further comprises a ramp portion that extends at an angle from the mounting portion.  
   
   
       4 . An orthopedic device according to  claim 3 , wherein each hinge plate further comprises a hinge portion that extends from the ramp portion.  
   
   
       5 . An orthopedic device according to  claim 4 , wherein the hinge portion is offset from the first surface to substantially prevent contact between the orthopedic device and the growth plate.  
   
   
       6 . An orthopedic device according to  claim 5 , and further comprising a hinge pin extending through the hinge portion of each hinge plate to thereby pivotally connect the hinge plates together at the pivot joint.  
   
   
       7 . An orthopedic device according to  claim 6 , wherein the ramped portions and the hinge portions of the first and second hinge members form an operational recess extending inwardly from surfaces of the hinge members connected to the respective bone portions.  
   
   
       8 . An orthopedic device according to  claim 6 , wherein the first surface of each hinge plate comprises a channel adapted for contacting one of the bone portions.  
   
   
       9 . An orthopedic device according to  claim 8 , wherein the channel extends between a distal end of each hinge plate and the respective ramped portion.  
   
   
       10 . An orthopedic device according to  claim 9 , and further comprising at least one opening extending through each of the hinge plates, the at least one opening being aligned with the channel and adapted to receive a fastener for mounting the first and second hinge plates to the respective bone portions.  
   
   
       11 . An orthopedic device according to  claim 10 , wherein the at least one opening comprises an elongated slot adopted for adjusting position of the pivot joint at the respective bone portions.  
   
   
       12 . An orthopedic device according to  claim 9 , wherein the first and second hinge plates include stop surfaces for limiting relative angular rotation between the hinge plates.  
   
   
       13 . An orthopedic device according to  claim 2 , wherein the first surface of each hinge plate comprises a channel adapted for contacting one of the bone portions.  
   
   
       14 . An orthopedic device according to  claim 2 , wherein the pivot joint is offset from the first surface to substantially prevent contact between the orthopedic device and the growth plate.  
   
   
       15 . An orthopedic device according to  claim 1 , and further comprising at least one opening extending through each of the hinge members, the at least one opening being adapted to receive a fastener for mounting the first and second hinge members to the respective bone portions.  
   
   
       16 . An orthopedic device according to  claim 15 , wherein the at least one opening comprises an elongated slot for adjusting position of the pivot joint relative to the growth plate.  
   
   
       17 . A method of correcting angular deformation of a bone structure having a first bone portion separated from a second bone portion by a growth plate by means of an orthopedic device having a first hinge member pivotally connected to a second hinge member at a pivot joint, the method comprising: 
 aligning the pivot joint with the growth plate; and    mounting the first and second hinge members to the first and second bone portions, respectively;    wherein the alignment of the pivot joint with the growth plate promotes asymmetric growth of the growth plate to thereby correct the angular deformation.    
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the mounting step comprises spacing the pivot joint from the growth plate to thereby prevent growth plate damage by contact with the pivot joint.  
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the mounting step comprises driving at least one fastening member through at least one of the hinge members and into one of the bone portions.  
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the at least one fastening member is a bone screw head and wherein the driving step comprises orienting the bone screw in a direction parallel to or away from the growth plate.  
   
   
       21 . A method according to  claim 17 , and further comprising limiting relative angular rotation between the first and second hinge members when the angular deformation has been corrected.  
   
   
       22 . A method according to  claim 17 , and further comprising providing at least one slot in each of the hinge members and further wherein the mounting step comprises driving at least one bone screw through at least one of the slots and into one of the bone portions.  
   
   
       23 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein the aligning step comprises sliding the orthopedic device with respect to the at least one bone screw until the pivot joint is aligned with the growth plate.  
   
   
       24 . A method according to  claim 23 , wherein the at least one bone screw comprises a rounded head and wherein the driving step comprises orienting the bone screw in a direction parallel to or away from the growth plate to thereby secure the orthopedic device to the bone structure.