Bone fracture treatment apparatus and method

A method of setting a fractured bone having a first bone portion and a second bone portion, the method comprising:

• providing an extensible and compressible tubular mesh implant having a rest diameter and a rest length, the tubular mesh implant constructed for radial and axial extension and compression, wherein the rest diameter is larger than the diameters of the first and second bone portions, and
• introducing the first bone portion through a first end of the implant;
• introducing the second bone portion through a second end of the implant;
• applying an axial tensile force to the implant to stretch the implant and adjust the diameter of the mesh implant from the rest diameter to a first diameter that causes the implant to contact at least one of the first and second bone portions;
• while the implant is adjusted, securing the implant to the first and second bone portions;
• and
• after securing the implant, releasing the axial tensile force to allow the mesh to transfer the force to the first and second bone portions as a compressive force.