Systems and methods for the fixation or fusion of bone using compressive implants

A method for the fixation or fusion of bone structures comprising:

• identifying first and second bone segments separated by a fracture line or joint,
• creating an insertion path through the first bone segment, transversely through the fracture line or joint, and into the second bone segment,
• providing an anchor body sized and configured to be introduced through the insertion path into the first and second bone segments and transversely across the fracture line or joint, the anchor body having a distal end sized and configured to be located in an interior region of the second bone segment;
• a proximal end sized and configured to be located outside an exterior region of the first bone segment;
• and an intermediate region sized and configured to span the fracture line or joint between the first and second bone segments,
• providing an elongated implant structure sized and configured to be passed coaxially over the anchor body to span the fracture line or joint between the bone segments, the elongated implant structure including an exterior surface region treated to provide bony in-growth or through-growth along the implant structure,
• introducing the anchor body through the insertion path from the first bone segment, through the fracture line or joint, and into the second bone segment,
• anchoring the distal end of the anchor body in the interior region of the second bone segment,
• passing the elongated implant structure coaxially over the anchor body to transversely span the fracture line or joint between the bone segments, and
• anchoring the proximal end of the anchor body to an exterior region of the first bone segment to place, in concert with the anchored distal end, the anchor body in compression to compress and fixate the bone segments relative to the fracture line or joint, whereby the bony in-growth or through-growth region of the implant structure accelerates the fixation or fusion of the first and second bone segments held in compression and fixated by the anchor body.