A method for applying compression to bone, the method comprising: providing a shape memory material device deforming the shape memory material device using the superelastic properties of the shape memory material device so that the shape memory material device generates a stress level which is at or above the upper plateau of the mechanical hysteresis curve of the shape memory material device allowing the shape memory material device to recover a portion of its deformation so that the shape memory material device generates a stress level which is substantially at the lower plateau of the mechanical hysteresis curve of the shape memory material device mechanically constraining the shape memory material device deploying the shape memory material device so that the shape memory material device is in association with bone and releasing the mechanical constraint so that the shape memory material device applies compression to bone.
