Abstract: A medical procedure for use in connection with a patient suffering from cuff tear arthropathy is disclosed. The medial procedure includes securing a prosthetic head component having a glenoid-bearing portion and an acromion-bearing portion to a humerus of a patient so that the glenoid-bearing portion is positioned in bearing contact with a glenoid surface of a scapula of the patient. The method further includes abducting the humerus so as to move the acromion-bearing portion of the prosthetic head component into direct contact with an acromion of the patient.

Abstract: A medical procedure for use in connection with a patient suffering from cuff tear arthropathy is disclosed. The medial procedure includes securing a prosthetic head component having a glenoid-bearing portion and an acromion-bearing portion to a humerus of a patient so that the glenoid-bearing portion is positioned in bearing contact with a glenoid surface of a scapula of the patient. The method further includes abducting the humerus so as to move the acromion-bearing portion of the prosthetic head component into direct contact with an acromion of the patient.

Abstract: A medical procedure for use in connection with a patient suffering from cuff tear arthropathy is disclosed. The medial procedure includes providing a humeral prosthesis having a prosthetic head component, wherein (i) the prosthetic head component includes a glenoid-bearing portion and an acromion-bearing portion, and (ii) the glenoid-bearing portion and the acromion-bearing portion define an outer bearing surface, and (iii) the outer bearing surface extends in a medial/lateral direction across a radial distance D, and (iii) D?190°. The medical procedure further includes implanting the humeral prosthesis in the patient so that the acromion-bearing portion contacts and bears directly against a natural acromion of the patient during abduction of an arm of the patient that possesses the humerus.

Abstract: A method for providing joint arthroplasty includes providing a gauge for making a measurement of the contour of a long bone, making a measurement of the contour of a long bone with the gauge, providing a plurality of joint prostheses, selecting one of the plurality of joint prostheses based upon the measurement of the contour, resecting a long bone, and implanting the selected one prosthesis onto the long bone. A kit is also provided for selecting one of a plurality of joint implants for use in joint arthroplasty on a bone. The kit includes a first gauge and a second gauge.

Abstract: A surgical assembly for resecting a greater tubercle from a humerus of a patient during performance of a shoulder replacement procedure. The surgical assembly includes a cutting tool for resecting the greater tubercle from the humerus. The surgical assembly also includes a tool guide member having a tool guide surface defined therein. The tool guide surface is configured to position the cutting tool in a predetermined position relative to the greater tubercle of the humerus.

Abstract: A prosthesis for attachment to the proximal humerus of a patient during a shoulder arthroplasty has a cup and a spacer. The cup has an articulation surface and an internal surface opposed to the articulation surface. At least a portion of the internal surface is concave. The spacer has a support surface and an opposed surface. The support surface is configured for intimate contact with the proximal humerus and the opposed surface is configured for assembly to the internal surface of the cup.

Abstract: A method for providing joint arthroplasty includes providing a gauge for making a measurement of the contour of a long bone, making a measurement of the contour of a long bone with the gauge, providing a plurality of joint prostheses, selecting one of the plurality of joint prostheses based upon the measurement of the contour, resecting a long bone, and implanting the selected one prosthesis onto the long bone. A kit is also provided for selecting one of a plurality of joint implants for use in joint arthroplasty on a bone. The kit includes a first gauge and a second gauge.

Abstract: A gauge (10) for measuring bone contour (12) of a bone(4) for use in joint arthroplasty is provided. The gauge (10) includes a body (14) and a probe (16). The body (14) has a body contact portion of the body (14) for contact with the bone (4). The probe (16) is movably positional with respect to the body (14). The probe (16) includes a probe contact portion of the probe (16) for contact with the bone (4). The relative position of the probe (16) with respect to the body (14) is indicative of the bone contour (12) of the bone (4).

Abstract: A prosthesis (10) for use in performing joint arthroplasty is provided. The prosthesis (10) is to be fitted to a long bone (4). The prosthesis (10) includes a body (20) having an articulating surface (22) and a support surface (34) opposed to the articulating surface (22). The support surface (34) is adapted for intimate contact with a prepared surface (18) of the long bone (4).

Abstract: A prosthesis (10) for use in performing joint arthroplasty is provided. The prosthesis (10) may be fitted to a humerus (4). The prosthesis (10) includes a body (12) having an articulating surface (14) and an opposed surface (16) at least partially conforming to the humeral head (4). The prosthesis (10) also includes a stem (18) removably attachable to the body (12) for inserting at least partially into the humerus (4).

Abstract: A gauge (10) for measuring bone contour (12) of a bone(4) for use in joint arthroplasty is provided. The gauge (10) includes a body (14) and a probe (16). The body (14) has a body contact portion of the body (14) for contact with the bone (4). The probe (16) is movably positional with respect to the body (14). The probe (16) includes a probe contact portion of the probe (16) for contact with the bone (4). The relative position of the probe (16) with respect to the body (14) is indicative of the bone contour (12) of the bone (4).

Abstract: A surgical assembly for resecting a greater tubercle from a humerus of a patient during performance of a shoulder replacement procedure. The surgical assembly includes a cutting tool for resecting the greater tubercle from the humerus. The surgical assembly also includes a tool guide member having a tool guide surface defined therein. The tool guide surface is configured to position the cutting tool in a predetermined position relative to the greater tubercle of the humerus. A method of resecting a greater tubercle from a humerus of a patient during performance of a shoulder replacement procedure is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a prosthesis in a bone includes a body, first and second clamps, a depth gauge and a guide. The first clamp is coupled to the body. The depth gage is coupled to the body and is movable relative thereto generally perpendicular to the shaft of the bone. The second clamp can be selectively engaged with and disengaged from the depth gage. The second clamp is movable with the depth gage and is also moveable in a direction generally parallel to the axis of the bone. The guide is used to determine the proper rotational orientation of the apparatus. The first clamp is then secured to the bone. The second clamp is secured to a trial prosthesis and is engaged with the depth gage as the trial is inserted into the bone. When the proper insertion depth is reached, the second clamp is secured to the depth gage. The joint is then reduced and the range of motion checked. The depth and rotational orientation may be adjusted as needed.

Abstract: A kit (10) for removal of bone (12) from the talus (14) and the tibia (16) of a patient (20) for performing ankle fusion is provided. The kit (10) includes a guide (22) for cooperation with at least one of the tibia (16) and the talus (14) and an instrument (24) constrainable by the guide (22) for removal of the bone (12).

Abstract: A modular prosthetic assembly for use during performance of a shoulder replacement procedure on a patient includes a stem component configured to be implanted into a medullary canal of a humerus of the patient. The assembly also includes a prosthetic head component configured to be secured to a proximal end portion of the stem component. The prosthetic head component has a glenoid-bearing portion which is configured to bear against a glenoid surface of a scapula of the patient when the stem component is implanted into the medullary canal of the humerus of the patient and the prosthetic head component is secured to the stem component. The prosthetic head component also includes an acromion-bearing portion which is configured to bear against an acromion of the patient during abduction of the humerus when the stem component is implanted into the medullary canal of the humerus of the patient and the prosthetic head component is secured to the stem component.

Abstract: A modular prosthetic assembly for use during performance of a shoulder replacement procedure on a patient includes a stem component configured to be implanted into a medullary canal of a humerus of the patient. The assembly also includes a prosthetic head component configured to be secured to a proximal end portion of the stem component. The prosthetic head component has a glenoid-bearing portion which is configured to bear against a glenoid surface of a scapula of the patient when the stem component is implanted into the medullary canal of the humerus of the patient and the prosthetic head component is secured to the stem component. The prosthetic head component also includes an acromion-bearing portion which is configured to bear against an acromion of the patient during abduction of the humerus when the stem component is implanted into the medullary canal of the humerus of the patient and the prosthetic head component is secured to the stem component.

Abstract: A modular prosthetic assembly for use during performance of a shoulder replacement procedure on a patient includes a stem component configured to be implanted into a medullary canal of a humerus of the patient. The assembly also includes a prosthetic head component configured to be secured to a proximal end portion of the stem component. The prosthetic head component has a glenoid-bearing portion which is configured to bear against a glenoid surface of a scapula of the patient when the stem component is implanted into the medullary canal of the humerus of the patient and the prosthetic head component is secured to the stem component. The prosthetic head component also includes an acromion-bearing portion which is configured to bear against an acromion of the patient during abduction of the humerus when the stem component is implanted into the medullary canal of the humerus of the patient and the prosthetic head component is secured to the stem component.

Abstract: A surgical assembly for resecting a greater tubercle from a humerus of a patient during performance of a shoulder replacement procedure. The surgical assembly includes a cutting tool for resecting the greater tubercle from the humerus. The surgical assembly also includes a tool guide member having a tool guide surface defined therein. The tool guide surface is configured to position the cutting tool in a predetermined position relative to the greater tubercle of the humerus. A method of resecting a greater tubercle from a humerus of a patient during performance of a shoulder replacement procedure is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a prosthesis in a bone includes a body, first and second clamps, a depth gauge and a guide. The first clamp is coupled to the body. The depth gage is coupled to the body and is movable relative thereto generally perpendicular to the shaft of the bone. The second clamp can be selectively engaged with and disengaged from the depth gage. The second clamp is movable with the depth gage and is also moveable in a direction generally parallel to the axis of the bone. The guide is used to determine the proper rotational orientation of the apparatus. The first clamp is then secured to the bone. The second clamp is secured to a trial prosthesis and is engaged with the depth gage as the trial is inserted into the bone. When the proper insertion depth is reached, the second clamp is secured to the depth gage. The joint is then reduced and the range of motion checked. The depth and rotational orientation may be adjusted as needed.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a prosthesis in a bone includes a body, first and second clamps, a depth gauge and a guide. The first clamp is coupled to the body. The depth gage is coupled to the body and is movable relative thereto generally perpendicular to the shaft of the bone. The second clamp can be selectively engaged with and disengaged from the depth gage. The second clamp is movable with the depth gage and is also moveable in a direction generally parallel to the axis of the bone The guide is used to determine the proper rotational orientation of the apparatus. The first clamp is then secured to the bone. The second clamp is secured to a trial prosthesis and is engaged with the depth gage as the trial is inserted into the bone. When the proper insertion depth is reached, the second clamp is secured to the depth gage. The joint is then reduced and the range of motion checked. The depth and rotational orientation may be adjusted as needed.