shown minimal elevations of nickel in the tissues in contact with the metal the levels of titanium are comparable to the lowest levels found in tissues near titanium hip prostheses in most embodiments of the invention the sma is selected to have a temperature transformation range such that the implant undergoes a transition from austenite to stress induced martensite under the influence of deformation forces thus when the distal and proximal beams of implant 2 are deflected inwardly toward one another and then released they are already at a temperature such that they automatically attempt to reform to their original shape referring to fig5 9a implant 2 is prepared for use in corrective surgery at the distal b middle a and proximal c phalanxes of the foot as follows distal pair of beams 6 are loaded so that they each deflect inwardly toward one another until latch plate 38 is located adjacent to latch plate 34 with bore 36 a and bore 36 b overlapping one another likewise proximal pair of beams 8 are also loaded so that they each deflect inwardly toward one another until latch plate 58 is located adjacent to latch plate 54 with bore 56 a and bore 56 b overlapping one another once in this arrangement a coupling rod such as k wire 60 is inserted through bores 56.