Abstract: An improved body element for use in a modular prosthetic stem component of the sort comprising a body element and at least one other element, wherein the body element and the at least one other element are joined together by at least one modular connection, wherein the improved body element comprises an anterior wall and a posterior wall, at least one of the anterior wall and the posterior wall converging toward the other on the medial side of the body element and diverging away from the other on the lateral side of the body element, whereby the body element approximates a general wedge shape.

Abstract: A prosthetic femoral stem component includes a body element, a neck element and a stem element. The body element, neck element and stem element are secured to one another with a modular connection, the modular connection having a taper junction and an engaged-fit junction. The engaged-fit junction is formed by interaction of first and second concentric walls, the first concentric wall being formed on a shaft of the neck element and the second concentric wall being formed along a portion of a sidewall defining an aperture extending through the body element.

Abstract: This invention provides for a novel orthopedic prosthesis, specifically a prosthetic acetabular component for a prosthetic total hip joint, that comprises two constructs, one being a metal base construct that engages the bone and the other being a polyethylene bearing construct that attaches to the metal base construct and articulates with a femoral stem prosthetic component on the opposing side of the joint. The metal base construct is composed of two different metals, one of which engages the bone surface and the other of which engages the polyethylene bearing construct. Each of these metals is selected so that its characteristics are well suited to its particular function. More particularly, the first metal (i.e., the one that engages the bone surface) is selected so as to provide a superior bone-engaging face, while the second metal (i.e., the one that engages the polyethylene bearing construct) is selected so as to provide a superior polyethylene-engaging face.

Abstract: This invention provides a prosthetic acetabular component that comprises two constructs, one being a metal base construct that engages the bone and the other being a polyethylene bearing construct that attaches to the metal base construct and articulates with a femoral stem prosthetic component. The metal base construct is composed of two different metals, one of which engages the bone surface and the other of which engages the polyethylene bearing construct. Each of these metals is selected so that its characteristics are well suited to its particular function. The first metal is selected so as to provide a superior bone-engaging face, while the second metal is selected so as to provide a superior polyethylene-engaging face. By combining the different material characteristics of two different metals in the metal bone construct, it is possible to simultaneously form a superior bone-engaging face and a superior polyethylene-engaging face.

Abstract: An orthopedic component comprising a first element and a second element, with the first element and the second element being secured to one another with a modular connection, wherein the modular connection comprises a taper junction and an engaged-fit junction.

Abstract: This invention provides for a novel orthopedic prosthesis, specifically a prosthetic tibial component for a prosthetic total knee joint, that comprises two constructs, one being a metal base construct that engages the bone and the other being a polyethylene bearing construct that attaches to the metal base construct and articulates with a femoral prosthetic component on the opposing side of the joint. The metal base construct is composed of two different metals, one of which engages the bone surface and the other of which engages the polyethylene bearing construct. Each of these metals is selected so that its characteristics are well suited to its particular function. More particularly, the first metal (i.e., the one that engages the bone surface) is selected so as to provide a superior bone-engaging face, while the second metal (i.e., the one that engages the polyethylene bearing construct) is selected so as to provide a superior polyethylene-engaging face.

Abstract: A prosthetic tibial component for a prosthetic total knee joint includes two constructs, one being a metal base that engages a bone and the other being a polyethylene bearing that attaches to the metal base and articulates with a femoral prosthetic component on a opposing side of the joint. The metal base is composed of two metals, one of which engages the bone surface and the other of which engages the polyethylene bearing. Each of the metals is selected for its function. The first metal is selected to provide a superior bone-engaging face, while the second metal is selected to provide a superior polyethylene-engaging face. By combining the different material characteristics of two different metals there is formed a superior bone-engaging face and a superior polyethylene-engaging face.

Abstract: An orthopedic component comprising a first element and a second element, with the first element and the second element being secured to one another with a modular connection, wherein the modular connection comprises a taper junction and an engaged-fit junction.

Abstract: A prosthetic femoral stem component comprising a body element, a neck element and a stem element, with the body element, neck element and stem element being secured to one another with a modular connection, wherein the modular connection comprises a taper junction and an engaged-fit junction.

Abstract: An improved body element for use in a modular prosthetic stem component of the sort comprising a body element and at least one other element, wherein the body element and the at least one other element are joined together by at least one modular connection, wherein the improved body element comprises an anterior wall and a posterior wall, at least one of the anterior wall and the posterior wall converging toward the other on the medial side of the body element and diverging away from the other on the lateral side of the body element, whereby the body element approximates a general wedge shape.

Abstract: A prosthetic acetabular component includes two constructs, one being a metal base construct that engages the bone and the other being a polyethylene bearing construct that attaches to the metal base construct and articulates with a femoral stem prosthetic component. The metal base construct is composed of two different metals, one of which engages the bone surface and the other of which engages the polyethylene bearing construct. Each metal is well suited to its function. The first metal provides a superior bone-engaging face, while the second metal provides a superior polyethylene-engaging face.

Abstract: A prosthetic femoral stem component comprising a body element, a neck element and a stem element, with the body element, neck element and stem element being secured to one another with a modular connection, wherein the modular connection comprises a taper junction and an engaged-fit junction.

Abstract: An orthopedic component comprising a first element and a second element, with the first element and the second element being secured to one another with a modular connection, wherein the modular connection comprises a taper junction and an engaged-fit junction.

Abstract: This invention provides for a novel orthopedic prosthesis, specifically a prosthetic tibial component for a prosthetic total knee joint, that comprises two constructs, one being a metal base construct that engages the bone and the other being a polyethylene bearing construct that attaches to the metal base construct and articulates with a femoral prosthetic component on the opposing side of the joint. The metal base construct is composed of two different metals, one of which engages the bone surface and the other of which engages the polyethylene bearing construct. Each of these metals is selected so that its characteristics are well suited to its particular function. More particularly, the first metal (i.e., the one that engages the bone surface) is selected so as to provide a superior bone-engaging face, while the second metal (i.e., the one that engages the polyethylene bearing construct) is selected so as to provide a superior polyethylene-engaging face.

Abstract: This invention provides for a novel orthopedic prosthesis, specifically a prosthetic tibial component for a prosthetic total knee joint, that comprises two constructs, one being a metal base construct that engages the bone and the other being a polyethylene bearing construct that attaches to the metal base construct and articulates with a femoral prosthetic component on the opposing side of the joint. The metal base construct is composed of two different metals, one of which engages the bone surface and the other of which engages the polyethylene bearing construct. Each of these metals is selected so that its characteristics are well suited to its particular function. More particularly, the first metal (i.e., the one that engages the bone surface) is selected so as to provide a superior bone-engaging face, while the second metal (i.e., the one that engages the polyethylene bearing construct) is selected so as to provide a superior polyethylene-engaging face.

Abstract: The invention provides a modular three-component assembly for replacing a portion of a patient's femur or humerus. A neck component attaches directly to a stem component that inserts into the bone, and a body component that also inserts into the bone is attached to the neck component and/or to the stem component. Methods for assembling the prosthesis are also provided, wherein the stem component is inserted within the body component, and the stem component is joined to the neck component. The prosthesis may be constructed from the components outside of the patient, or, components of the prosthesis may be inserted into the patient prior to final assembly of the prosthesis during surgery.

Abstract: The invention provides a modular three-component assembly for replacing a portion of a patient's femur or humerus. A neck component attaches directly to a stem component that inserts into the bone, and a body component that also inserts into the bone is attached to the neck component and/or to the stem component. Methods for assembling the prosthesis are also provided, wherein the stem component is inserted within the body component, and the stem component is joined to the neck component. The prosthesis may be constructed from the components outside of the patient, or, components of the prosthesis may be inserted into the patient prior to final assembly of the prosthesis during surgery.

Abstract: A nonconstrained, total great toe joint implant for the metatarsophalangeal joint made of a first component with a convex, partially spherical surface ending in a rear surface from which a longitudinally asymmetric implantation stem projects and having a flange on the dorsal side of the implant which extends the convex surface past the rear surface. The rear surface is inclined 10.degree. relative to a normal plane which intersects this surface. The metatarsal bone is resected accordingly. The phalangeal implant component is made of a base with a stem for placement in a bone cavity, projecting from a rear side thereof and having a low-friction, concavely curved insert affixed to the base which slidably engages and cooperates with the convex surface of the metatarsal implant component.