Abstract: A guide and a method for locating a cutting block on a resected distal surface of a patient's femur in a knee replacement procedure. The guide includes a first body part for positioning over the resected distal surface. The first body part includes a pair of posteriorly extending feet for engaging with the posterior condyles of the femur. The guide also includes a second body part for positioning over the resected distal surface. The second body part includes at least one pair of locator holes for locating fastener pins by which the cutting block can be fastened to the resected distal face. The first body part is removably attachable to the second body part in a plurality of discrete positions for selectively angling the second body part with respect to an anatomical feature of the patient when the feet of the first body part are engaged with the posterior condyles.

Abstract: A guide and a method for locating a cutting block on a resected distal surface of a patient's femur in a knee replacement procedure. The guide includes a first body part for positioning over the resected distal surface. The first body part includes a pair of posteriorly extending feet for engaging with the posterior condyles of the femur. The guide also includes a second body part for positioning over the resected distal surface. The second body part includes at least one pair of locator holes for locating fastener pins by which the cutting block can be fastened to the resected distal face. The first body part is removably attachable to the second body part in a plurality of discrete positions for selectively angling the second body part with respect to an anatomical feature of the patient when the feet of the first body part are engaged with the posterior condyles.

Abstract: A method for locating the mechanical axis of a long bone involves generating an image of the long bone and determining the angle between the mechanical axis of the bone and a reference axis, which contains at least two reference points towards one end of the bone. A reference arm is positioned relative to the at least two predetermined reference points, and the mechanical axis is located relative to the reference arm with reference to the previously determined angle.

Abstract: A method for locating the mechanical axis of a long bone involves generating an image of the long bone and determining the angle between the mechanical axis of the bone and a reference axis, which contains at least two reference points towards one end of the bone. A reference arm is positioned relative to the at least two predetermined reference points, and the mechanical axis is located relative to the reference arm with reference to the previously determined angle.

Abstract: Apparatus for guiding a cutting tool in a surgical procedure on a bone. The apparatus includes a fixation block which can be fitted on to a bone, a guide block which can be fitted on to the fixation block, and a worm drive assembly for adjusting the orientation of the guide block rotationally relative to the fixation block about the said pivot axis. The guide block defines a path for a cutting tool, in which (i) the guide block can be translated relative to the fixation block along a translation axis so as to vary the distance between the guide block and the fixation block, and (ii) the orientation of the guide block relative to the fixation block can be adjusted lo rotationally about a pivot axis which is approximately perpendicular to the translation axis.