Method and implant for stabilizing separated bone portions relative to each other

A method for stabilizing, in a human or animal patient, at least two bone portions relative to each other, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing an implant comprising at least two peg portions and a rigid bridge portion and further comprising at least one securing element, wherein the peg portions and the bridge portion form a rigid peg and bridge member, in which the bridge portion extends between the peg portions, wherein the securing element comprises a material having thermoplastic properties, wherein the bridge portion has a flat form and is oriented relative to the peg portions for being positioned on a bone surface, and wherein the peg and bridge member is made of a single piece of metal sheet,
• preliminarily stabilizing the bone portions in a desired position relative to each other,
• preparing the bone portions for implantation,
• positioning the peg and bridge member relative to the bone portions such that the bridge portion extends between the at least two bone portions, and at least one peg portion extends into bone tissue of each one of the bone portions,
• positioning the securing element relative to the peg and bridge member, wherein the securing element comprises a longitudinal axis and the peg portions extend along a peg portion axis from the bone surface into the bone, wherein the securing element is positioned relative to the peg and bridge member in a manner that the longitudinal axis and the peg portion axis do not coincide,
• while said bone portions remain in the desired position, securing the positioned peg and bridge member by applying energy to the securing element for a time sufficient to liquefy at least part of the material having thermoplastic properties and making it to penetrate into the bone tissue and by letting the liquefied material re-solidify in the bone tissue to constitute a positive fit connection between the bone tissue and the securing element, and
• releasing the preliminary stabilization of the bone portions, wherein the bridge portion remains in a constant configuration during the steps of the method.