Fixing element for bone fragments

An element for fixing a first bone fragment to an associated second bone fragment from a fracture, especially an ankle joint fracture, each bone fragment having an aligned bore therein, the fixing element comprising:

• an elongate fixing body, sized to be introduced into the aligned bores such that a first portion defining a proximal end thereof is introduced into the first bone fragment and a second portion defining a distal end thereof is introduced into the second bone fragment, a proximal end of the second portion adjoining a distal end of the first portion, and the fixing body having an operative surface defined by a cavity extending substantially longitudinally therethrough;
• and
• an elongate spreading body for longitudinal introduction into the cavity at the proximal end, an operative surface of the spreading body defined by an external surface thereof, the fixing body operative surface and the spreading body operative surface co-acting to spread open the fixing body transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction thereof by a wedge action for connection to the respective bone fragments, such that after substantially complete introduction of the spreading body into the cavity, the second portion of the fixing body has a greater dimension transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction thereof at the distal end of the second portion than at the proximal end thereof, the fixing body being adapted to be spread open over its entire length.