Methods for balancing a joint during a surgical procedure

A method of balancing a joint, comprising:

• outputting a signal including a first data set associated with at least one of a force, a position, a displacement or a rotation associated with an apparatus disposed between a first bony structure and a second bony structure, the apparatus including a first portion configured to be coupled to the first bony structure, a second portion configured to be disposed between the first portion and the second bony structure, and a transducer and an actuator disposed between the first portion and the second portion;
• outputting a signal including a second data set, the second data set associated with at least one of a force, a position, a displacement or a rotation associated with the apparatus after the performance of at least a part of a surgical procedure, the surgical procedure based at least in part on a recommendation based on the first data set;
• and
• moving in response to a received signal a movable portion of an actuator, the movable portion of the actuator causing one of the first and second portion of the apparatus to move with respect to the other of the first and second portion of the apparatus.