| CPC A61F 2/30756 (2013.01) [A61B 17/1615 (2013.01); A61B 17/1635 (2013.01); A61B 17/1675 (2013.01); A61F 2/30 (2013.01); A61F 2/30771 (2013.01); A61F 2/4618 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30367 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30387 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30405 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30462 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30485 (2013.01); A61F 2002/305 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30784 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30841 (2013.01); A61F 2002/3085 (2013.01)] | 5 Claims |

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1. A method of attaching a carrier substance to a bone defect, comprising:
positioning a first implantable orthopedic device substantially near the bone defect, the device comprising a joint-ward end, an opposing mating end, and a lateral wall extending between the joint-ward end and the mating end; wherein the lateral wall includes fenestrations;
providing a length of strand material, the strand material having a first end and a second end;
threading the first end through a first fenestration of the fenestrations;
securing the first end to the device;
placing a first carrier substance substantially near or in contact with the joint-ward end of the device, the carrier substance having therapeutic properties; and
tethering the carrier substance near the joint-ward end of the device using the length of the strand material;
wherein threading the first end through the first fenestration includes threading such that the first end exits through a second fenestration of the fenestrations; the first and second fenestrations in vertical alignment with one another;
wherein the method further comprises:
looping the second end of strand material across the carrier substance;
threading the second end through a third fenestration of the fenestrations; the third fenestration opposite or adjacent to the first fenestration; wherein the second end exits through a fourth fenestration of the fenestrations; the third and fourth fenestrations in vertical alignment with one another; and
pulling the second end of the length of strand material taut across the carrier substance; and
wherein tethering the carrier substance is facilitated by securing the second end to the device so as to tether the carrier substance near the joint-ward end of the device.
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