Patient-specific cutting guide

A cutting guide system comprising:

• (a) a positioner configured to locate at least three markers on or near a patient's bone and to be anchored to prevent movement, the positioner comprising:
• (i) at least three targeting apertures;
• and
• (ii) at least three anchoring apertures;
• and
• (b) a cutting guide configured to be attached to the positioner and to delineate the cuts to be made in the bone and comprising top surface contours that guide the depth of the cuts;
• wherein the positioner and the cutting guide are configured from images taken of the patient's bone with the at least three markers already in place.

A method of forming a cutting guide system, the method comprising:

• (a) forming a positioner designed to incorporate the position of at least one marker on or near a patient's bone, therein the positioner is configured to locate the at least one marker and to be anchored to prevent movement;
• and
• (b) forming a cutting guide configured to be oriented by the positioner and to delineate the cuts to be made in the bone;
• wherein the positioner and the cutting guide are formed and configured from images taken of the patient's bone with the at least one marker already in place.