Method and apparatus for bone fixation

A method for fixation or fusion of bone segments, the method comprising:

• forming a first cavity portion in a first bone segment and a second bone segment across a joint or fracture between the first and second bone segments;
• forming second and third cavity portions in the respective first and second bone segments and in communication with the first cavity portion;
• inserting a longitudinally extending implant having a porous metal construct transversely across the joint or fracture, the longitudinally extending implant including a first longitudinally extending bridge member, wherein the first bridge member includes a wedge shaped configuration with tapered opposing sides angled outwardly all the way from a lower surface portion up to an upper surface portion such that the bridge member includes a wedge shaped structure with the lower surface portion having a smaller width than a corresponding width of the upper surface portion, and second and third fixation members integrally formed at opposed ends of the first bridge member and extending transverse to a longitudinal axis of the first bridge member, the second and third fixation members including a larger longitudinal length from a top surface to a bottom surface thereof than a corresponding length from the upper surface portion to the lower surface portion of the first bridge member, wherein the first bridge member is positioned in the first cavity and the second and third fixation members are positioned in the respective second and third cavity portions, and wherein the bridge member and the first and second cylindrical fixation members include a solid core structure including a bridge core and integrally connected first and second cylindrical fixation member cores and the solid core structure is at least partially covered by the porous metal outer surface and wherein the lower surface portion of the bridge member is an exposed surface of the bridge core and is not covered by the porous metal;
• and
• fixing, with the insertion of the implant, the first and second bone segments in a first direction parallel to the longitudinal axis via the fixation members and in a second direction transverse to the first direction via the bridge member.