Systems and methods for the fixation or fusion of bone

A method comprising

• identifying a bone site comprising a first bone segment, a second bone segment, and a non-bony region comprising an interruption between the first and second bone segments,
• providing a first bone fixation device comprising a first elongated stem structure sized and configured for insertion through the first bone segment, entirely through the interruption, and at least partially into the second bone segment, and a fenestration in the first elongated stem structure, wherein the fenestration is unthreaded,
• providing a second bone fixation device comprising a second elongated stem structure sized and configured for insertion through the first bone segment, entirely through the interruption, and at least partially into the second bone segment, the second bone fixation device also comprising a non-threaded tapered section, the non-threaded tapered section having a distal portion being sized and configured for passage through the fenestration in the first elongated stem structure, the non-threaded tapered section also having a proximal portion sized and configured such that it is prevented from passing completely through the fenestration in the first elongated stem structure,
• inserting the first elongated stem structure through the first bone segment, entirely through the interruption, and at least partially into the second bone segment, and
• inserting the second elongated stem structure through the first bone segment, entirely through the interruption, and at least partially into the second bone segment, including passing the distal portion of the non-threaded tapered section of the second elongated stem structure through the fenestration in the first elongated stem structure such that at least a portion of the non-threaded tapered section remains in the fenestration, the fenestration and the non-threaded tapered section cooperating to limit movement of the second elongated stem structure relative to the first elongated stem structure, wherein the first and the second elongated stem structures comprise external surfaces, each of which are non-threaded, wherein the fenestration is sized and configured relative to the non-threaded tapered section to permit the second elongated stem structure to be passed through the first elongated stem structure at a range of angles, thereby providing stabilization of the bone segments from the non-threaded tapered section interlocking with the non-threaded fenestration.

Apparatus for stabilizing a bone site comprising a first bone segment, a second bone segment, and a non-bony region comprising a fracture site between the first and second bone segments, the apparatus comprising

• a first bone fixation device comprising a first elongated stem structure sized and configured for insertion through the first bone segment, entirely through the fracture site, and at least partially into the second bone segment, and a fenestration in the first elongated stem structure, wherein the fenestration is unthreaded, and
• a second bone fixation device comprising a second elongated stem structure sized and configured for insertion through the first bone segment, entirely through the fracture site, and at least partially into the second bone segment, the second bone fixation device also comprising a non-threaded tapered section, the non-threaded tapered section having a distal portion being sized and configured for passage through the fenestration in the first elongated stem structure, the non-threaded tapered section also having a proximal portion sized and configured such that it is prevented from passing completely through the fenestration in the first elongated stem structure, the fenestration and the non-threaded tapered portion being sized and configured such that at least a portion of the non-threaded tapered section remains in the fenestration after the second bone fixation device is inserted, the fenestration and the non-threaded tapered section being sized and configured to limit movement of the second elongated stem structure relative to the first elongated stem structure, wherein the first and the second elongated stem structures comprise external surfaces, each of which are non-threaded, wherein the fenestration is sized and configured relative to the non-threaded tapered section to permit the second elongated stem structure to be passed through the first elongated stem structure at a range of angles, thereby providing stabilization of the bone segments from the non-threaded tapered section interlocking with the non-threaded fenestration.

Apparatus for stabilizing a bone site comprising a first bone segment, a second bone segment, and a non-bony region comprising an interruption between the first and second bone segments, the apparatus comprising

• a first bone fixation device comprising a first elongated stem structure sized and configured for insertion through the first bone segment, entirely through the interruption, and at least partially into the second bone segment, and a fenestration in the first elongated stem structure, wherein the fenestration is unthreaded, and
• a second bone fixation device comprising a second elongated stem structure sized and configured for insertion through the first bone segment, entirely through the interruption, and at least partially into the second bone segment, the second bone fixation device also comprising a non-threaded tapered section, the non-threaded tapered section having a distal portion being sized and configured for passage through the fenestration in the first elongated stem structure, the non-threaded tapered section also having a proximal portion sized and configured such that it is prevented from passing completely through the fenestration in the first elongated stem structure, the fenestration and the non-threaded tapered portion being sized and configured such that at least a portion of the non-threaded tapered section remains in the fenestration after the second bone fixation device is inserted, the fenestration and the non-threaded tapered section being sized and configured to limit movement of the second elongated stem structure relative to the first elongated stem structure, wherein the first and the second elongated stem structures comprise external surfaces, each of which are non-threaded, wherein the fenestration is sized and configured relative to the non-threaded tapered section to permit the second elongated stem structure to be passed through the first elongated stem structure at a range of angles, thereby providing stabilization of the bone segments from the non-threaded tapered section interlocking with the non-threaded fenestration.