Method for repairing bone fractures using bone-lock system

A method for repairing a bone fracture that defines first and second segments of bone, a method comprising the steps of:

• defining respective first and second gripping channels in the first and second segments, the gripping channels being positioned such that the first and second gripping channels form a continuous gripping socket when the first and second segments are abutted at the fracture, the gripping socket including multiple gripping features having one or more predetermined shapes;
• abutting the first and second segments at the fracture;
• continuing to abut the first and second segments at the fracture while performing steps comprising:
• placing a shapeable mending material into the gripping socket;
• and
• hardening the mending material in place to form a rigid mending key having one or more gripping protrusions shaped to substantially compliment the gripping features, the gripping protrusions engaging the gripping features to prevent the bone segments from moving away from each other.

A method for joining first and second bone members, said bone members having been previously joined at a fracture site to form a unitary piece of bone, said method comprising the steps of:

• uniting the first and second bone members at the fracture site;
• holding the fractured bone members together at the fracture site while performing steps comprising:
• defining a gripping socket from the first bone member to the second bone member across a fracture site, the gripping socket having multiple gripping features;
• placing a shapeable mending material into the gripping socket;
• and
• hardening the mending material in place to form a rigid mending key having gripping protrusions complimentarily engaging the gripping socket.

A method for re-attaching first and second parts of a bone, said parts having mating surfaces defined by a fracture, the method comprising the steps of:

• abutting the mating surfaces;
• and
• while continuing to abut the mating surfaces, performing steps comprising:
• defining a line of multiple holes from the first mating part to the second mating part via the fracture;
• excavating paths between the holes to form a gripping socket defined by the holes and the paths therebetween;
• placing a mending material into the gripping socket;
• hardening the mending material in place to form a rigid mending key having a shape substantially similar to the gripping socket;
• and
• the hardened mending key engaging the gripping socket to hold the bone parts together.