Method for changing a configuration of a bone

A method of changing a configuration of a bone having a length, the method comprising the steps of:

• obtaining a bone plate having a length;
• fixing a first part of the bone plate to the bone at a first bone location;
• obtaining a guide assembly;
• securing the guide assembly in an operative position in fixed relationship to the bone;
• obtaining a bone part moving assembly configured so that at least a part of the bone part moving assembly cooperates with the guide assembly to be guided in a controlled path by the guide assembly;
• engaging the bone part moving assembly with the bone at a second bone location spaced from the first bone location;
• cutting the bone to define first and second bone sections and so that the bone part moving assembly engages the second bone section and the first bone location is on the first bone section,
• the bone part moving assembly and guide assembly further configured to cooperate with each other so as to control relative turning of the first and second bone sections around the length of the bone to thereby maintain alignment of the first and second bone sections;
• relatively repositioning the first and second bone sections into a desired relationship and thereby causing the part of the bone part moving assembly to move, together with the second bone section, guidingly in the controlled path;
• and
• fixing the first and second bone sections in the desired relationship,
• wherein the guide assembly and bone part moving assembly are configured to cooperate with each other so that with the guide assembly in the operative position and the bone part moving assembly engaged with the bone at the second location, relative movement of the first and second bone sections is guided in a direction lengthwise of the plate without requiring guided movement of any component extended through the bone plate.