Implant

A method for repositioning bone fragments by means of one or more pins, said method comprising the following steps:

• A) performing an incision in the region of each bone fragment to be reduced;
• B) providing a pin comprising a front end, a rear end and an uncured layer of a polymerizable and/or cross-linkable material at said front end;
• C) activating said polymerizable and/or cross-linkable material with electromagnetic energy or with moisture;
• D) introducing said pin in the incision;
• E) pressing on said rear end in order to contact said activated layer of said front end with the respective bone fragment without penetrating the surface of the bone fragment;
• F) allowing said activated and pressurized layer to polymerize or cross-link and to adhere to the bone fragment;
• G) repeating steps B) to F) for each bone fragment to be repositioned;
• and
• H) reducing the bone fracture by using said one or more pins as a reduction aid.

A method for securing a bone plate to a bone, the method comprising:

• providing a fixation element having a front end including a layer of polymerizable and/or cross-linkable material and a rear end;
• activating the layer of polymerizable and/or cross-linkable material;
• contacting the activated layer of polymerizable and/or cross-linkable material to a surface of a bone to secure the fixation element to the surface of a bone without penetrating the surface of the bone;
• and
• coupling the bone plate to the fixation element after the fixation element is secured to the surface of the bone.