The invention relates to an orthopedic stabilizing device for placement in an interosseous space defined by adjacent bony surfaces, comprising: a deformable monolithic body having a distal end and a proximal end, an upper bone contact structure and a lower bone contact structure, a locator arm adjacent the proximal end, a locator arm adjacent the distal end, a center section having a distal end and a proximal end extending between said upper bone contact structure and said lower bone contact structure, each locator arm being joined to said upper bone contact structure, said lower bone contact structure and said center portion at the respective distal and proximal ends by a deformation joint thereat, a first partial column on said upper bone contact structure projecting toward said center section, a second partial column on said lower bone contact structure projecting toward said center section, said center section including a third partial column projecting toward said upper bone contact structure and a fourth partial column projecting toward said lower bone contact structure, said body being expandable along a height axis between a first smaller height to a second larger expanded height, said center section being movable in a direction transverse to said expanded height, said partial columns not being engaged with each other at said first height and operative to form upon expansion a load-bearing column along the height axis by the direct engagement of said first partial column with said third partial column and the second partial column with said fourth partial column, said load-bearing column spanning the distance between said upper bone contact structure and said lower bone contact structure.
