Abstract: Orthopedic systems and methods for installing an implant and/or boring a bone bicortically. The system may include a drill having a proximal boring portion configured to bore a larger hole in a bone more efficiently when the drill rotates in a first direction compared to an opposite second direction, and a distal boring portion configured to bore a smaller hole in the bone more efficiently when the drill rotates in the second direction. The implant may be configured to be implanted at least partially in the bone, such that a first region of the implant is located in the larger hole and a second region of the implant is located in the smaller hole. In an exemplary method, the larger hole and the smaller hole may be bored in the bone's near cortex and far cortex, respectively, by a shaft and a nose of the drill rotated in opposite directions.

Abstract: Bone plates having an adjustable joint, and methods of using the bone plates to fix bones.

Abstract: Bone plates having an adjustable joint, and methods of using the bone plates to fix bones.

Abstract: The elbow prosthesis includes an ulnar component that has a bearing end and a stem. The stem is attached to the bearing end and extends in a distal direction from it. The elbow prosthesis also has a humeral component that includes a holder end and a stem with the stem extending in a proximal direction from the holder end. The prosthesis further includes at least one bearing member that is connected to the holder end with the bearing end being attached within the holder end to allow for rotation and articulation against the at least one bearing member. The bearing end and holder end are attached to each other by a coupling mechanism that includes an opening positioned on the posterior aspect of the holder end and a mating surface on the bearing body. A method of using the elbow prosthesis and a total elbow prosthesis kit are also disclosed.

Abstract: Aligning the syndesmosis joint by a novel device and method includes establishing a first plane by attaching a bone plate to the posterolateral aspect of the distal fibula. A second transverse plane arranges perpendicular to the first nominal plane. A syndesmosis targeting guide device includes a post having a post axis extending perpendicular to the first plane and in the second plane. The device includes a curvilinear slider guide extending along an arc in the second plane. The slider is positioned to a first position and fixing that first position to establish a fixed entry point in the fibula wherein the fixed entry point lies in the second plane and further thereby establishing a desired trajectory in the second plane wherein the trajectory includes the fixed entry point based on the slider first position.

Abstract: System, including methods and devices, for fixing bone. The system may include a bone plate having two or more plate members connected to one another with one or more movable joints. Each joint may permit the orientation of the plate members to be adjusted relative to one another in a single plane or two or more nonparallel planes. The joint may have a movable configuration and a fixed configuration. Methods of creating the bone plate are also provided.

Abstract: System, including methods and devices, for bone fixation with a pin and a collar. In exemplary embodiments, the system may comprise a pin configured to be inserted into a bone, and a deformable collar to retain the pin in the bone. The collar may be configured to be operatively disposed on the pin such that the collar extends more than halfway and less than completely around the pin. The pin and the collar may have complementary surface features that discourage sliding of the collar along a long axis of the pin. In some embodiments, the collar may be configured to be operatively disposed on the pin at a plurality of discrete, alternative axial positions along the long axis of the pin. The pin may be cut to a desired length.

Abstract: System, including methods and apparatus, for hip fixation with load-controlled dynamization. In exemplary embodiments, the system may comprise a fixation element, such as a screw, configured to be placed into a proximal femur of a subject, with a leading end of the fixation element anchored in a head of the proximal femur. The system also may comprise a stop member configured to be connected (e.g., via a nail or plate) to the proximal femur. The system further may comprise a deformable member configured to be irreversibly deformed by compressive force exerted on at least a portion of the deformable member by the fixation element and the stop member in response to a load applied to the proximal femur by the subject, such that the fixation element and the stop member move relative to one another parallel to a long axis of the fixation element.

Abstract: Bone fixation system, including methods, apparatus, and kits, and comprising a bone plate and at least one instrument that attaches to the bone plate and provides at least one radiopaque region to facilitate positioning the bone plate on bone visualized by radiographic imaging. The instrument may be a handle assembly and/or a targeting guide.

Abstract: System, including methods and devices, for fixing bone. The system may include a bone plate having two or more plate members connected to one another with one or more movable joints. Each joint may permit the orientation of the plate members to be adjusted relative to one another in a single plane or two or more nonparallel planes. The joint may have a movable configuration and a fixed configuration. Methods of creating the bone plate are also provided.

Abstract: System, including methods and apparatus, for deforming a plate member on bone. In some embodiments, the system may comprise a plate member defining a plurality of openings to receive fasteners that attach the plate member to bone. The plate member may include a pair of undercut flanges formed by opposite edge regions of the plate member. The system also may comprise a bending tool configured to be operatively associated with the plate member after the plate member is attached to bone, with a region of the bending tool positioned under each of the undercut flanges, such that rotation of the bending tool applies a moment to the plate member.

Abstract: Bone fixation system including methods, apparatus, and kits, for steering a leading end of a fastener within bone. In some embodiments, the system may include (a) a flexible fastener having an external thread, and (b) a guide including a graspable handle attached or attachable to a wire having a distal end portion with a preformed longitudinal curvature in a direction indicated by the handle. The wire may be extendable through the fastener and configured to be advanced longitudinally, while extending through the fastener, such that the distal end portion of the wire penetrates bone ahead of a leading end of the fastener and creates a curved travel path for the leading end of the fastener.

Abstract: System, including methods and apparatus, for replacing an end of a bone, such as a radial bone, with a prosthesis. In exemplary embodiments, the prosthesis is a radial head prosthesis having a stem portion and a head portion. The head portion may be configured to be (a) placed onto the stem portion by movement of the head and stem portions relative to one another transverse to a longitudinal axis of the stem portion, and then (b) rotated with respect to the stem portion to produce friction that firmly attaches the head portion to the stem portion.

Abstract: System, including apparatus, methods, and kits, for replacement of the proximal end of a radial bone with a prosthesis having a floating articular member. The prosthesis may include a head portion connected or connectable to a stem portion. While the stem portion remains operatively connected to the head portion, the head portion and/or an articular member thereof may be permitted to float in position relative to the stem portion. The head portion/articular member may float transversely (e.g., translationally) and/or rotationally with respect to the stem portion. The articular member may articulate with a humeral bone or both a humeral bone and an ulnar bone. In some embodiments, the head portion may include a fixed member for articulation with an ulnar bone and a floating member for articulation with a humeral bone.

Abstract: System, including apparatus and methods, for fixing bone with a bone plate supported temporarily at a slant on bone by a leg member before the bone plate is used as a lever to reposition a region of the bone. In some embodiments, the leg member may be a post member that attaches to the bone plate by threaded engagement with an aperture of the bone plate. In some embodiments, the bone plate and the leg member may be used near the end of a long bone, such as on a distal portion of a radial bone.

Abstract: System, including apparatus and methods, for bending a bone fixation device, such as a bone plate during a surgical procedure. In some embodiments, the system may include an instrument having (a) a clamp with jaws and (b) a graspable handle portion that is manipulable while a bone plate is located between the jaws to bend the bone plate by application of pressure with the jaws at alternating positions along the bone plate. The clamp may allow the bone plate to be reoriented from an orientation for in-plane bending to an orientation for out-of-plane bending, and vice versa, while the bone plate remains between the jaws.

Abstract: System, including methods and apparatus, for hip fixation with load-controlled dynamization. In exemplary embodiments, the system may comprise a fixation element, such as a screw, configured to be placed into a proximal femur of a subject, with a leading end of the fixation element anchored in a head of the proximal femur. The system also may comprise a stop member configured to be connected (e.g., via a nail or plate) to the proximal femur. The system further may comprise a deformable member configured to be irreversibly deformed by compressive force exerted on at least a portion of the deformable member by the fixation element and the stop member in response to a load applied to the proximal femur by the subject, such that the fixation element and the stop member move relative to one another parallel to a long axis of the fixation element.

Abstract: System, including apparatus and methods, for fixing bone with a bone plate supported temporarily at a slant on bone by a leg member before the bone plate is used as a lever to reposition a region of the bone. In some embodiments, the leg member may be a post member that attaches to the bone plate by threaded engagement with an aperture of the bone plate. In some embodiments, the bone plate and the leg member may be used near the end of a long bone, such as on a distal portion of a radial bone.

Abstract: Aligning the syndesmosis joint by a novel device and method includes establishing a first plane by attaching a bone plate to the posterolateral aspect of the distal fibula. A second transverse plane arranges perpendicular to the first nominal plane. A syndesmosis targeting guide device includes a post having a post axis extending perpendicular to the first plane and in the second plane. The device includes a curvilinear slider guide extending along an arc in the second plane. The slider is positioned to a first position and fixing that first position to establish a fixed entry point in the fibula wherein the fixed entry point lies in the second plane and further thereby establishing a desired trajectory in the second plane wherein the trajectory includes the fixed entry point based on the slider first position.

Abstract: System, including methods, devices, and kits, for hip fixation. The system may include a fixation element configured to be placed obliquely into a proximal femur and anchored in a head of the proximal femur. The system also may include a plate member including (a) a mounting portion configured to be placed on and attached to a lateral cortex of the proximal femur and (b) a barrel portion configured to be placed into a lateral region of the proximal femur and positioned around a portion of the fixation element. The system further may include a compliant member positioned or positionable at least partially in the plate member and configured to be reversibly deformed in response to a load applied to the head of the proximal femur, to change an angular orientation of the fixation element with respect to the plate member.