Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatuses and methods for performing joint balancing procedures. The apparatus may have femoral paddle and a tibial paddle attached to a housing. The housing may include a distraction mechanism to vary the space between the femoral paddle and the tibial paddle. The tibial paddle may lie entirely within the femoral paddle in a closed position. A load sensor may be placed in the femoral paddle to measure ligament tension. The apparatus may be inserted into a knee joint and positioned to remain within the knee joint during flexion and extension of the knee without everting a patella.

Abstract: A femoral guide is shown in the form of a femoral sizing guide for determining the size of a femoral knee prosthesis to be implanted at an implant site at a distal femur and includes a femoral sizing block connected to a foot component for selective pivotal movement about a pivotal axis extending in a generally axial direction and essentially intersecting the transepicondylar axis of the distal femur to enable a guide arrangement on the femoral sizing block to be located for facilitating subsequent placement of a femoral cutting guide on a distal femur in position to rotationally locate an anterior cut in a plane anterior of and essentially parallel to the transepicondylar axis of the distal femur. The femoral sizing block is connected to the foot component for selective linear movement to compensate for size variations outside standard femoral knee prosthesis sizes. Visible indications are provided of the location of a subsequently implanted femoral knee prosthesis.

Abstract: A drive-in posting device for use in tightly holding sutures in place such as for orthopaedic procedure involving bone grafting. The posting device comprises a nail-like tine made of a biologically acceptable material such as stainless steel, vitalium, titanium and the like, as well as hard bioabsorbable materials. Alternatively the posting device comprises a screw shank and is inserted by being screwed into the bone. The posting device is provided with a head having an integral washer and three or four lateral extension elements or an extension clover leaf on which suture wire can be wrapped and tightened. The tine is optionally provided with an eye through which the suture is threaded. The head of the posting device is configured for use with a rotational driver and the extension elements are provided with short tines which face and are engageable with a bone. In operation, the body tine is partially driven into a bone and a suture is threaded through the eye or otherwise wrapped therearound.

Abstract: A graft fixation device such as for use in holes drilled into the intercondylar notch of the femur for a bone-patella tendon-bone constructs, for immediate and secure fixation of both ends of a graft. The device comprises a wedge shaped shim constructed of a hard (preferably metal) biologically inert material, which is wedged in between the graft and the formed tunnel in which the graft is positioned. One side of the shim is arcuate and adapted to be from one third to one half a complete circle circumference (adapted to fit into holes of varying circumferences). The shim is either wedge shaped or formed with central aperture for insertion of an expander such as a screw, to snug up and securely wedge an adjacent graft within a bone hole. The shim does not entail bone damage such as occurs with screw fixation devices, and can be adjusted to the correct and secure holding pressure. The shim is also removable and/or replaceable for different sizes as required.

Abstract: A suture anchor having an anchor member, a central shaft and outwardly extending wing members. A suture mounting hole is provided in the suture anchor for receiving a surgical suture. The suture anchor is inserted into a bore hole in a bone as part of an orthopedic surgical procedure wherein soft tissue such as a tendon is attached to the surface of the bone. Optionally, bone tissue may be attached to the surface of the bone. The wings may have cutting edges or piercing points. The suture anchors may have screw threads on their outer surfaces.

Abstract: An acetabular prosthesis comprises an acetabular cup in the form of a hollow hemispherical dome having at least two blind sockets on the outer convex surface of the dome spaced apart relative to the rim of the dome, each blind socket having an entrance facing toward the top of the dome for receiving a barb and for fixedly securing the barb to the socket. The acetabular cups and barbs can be provided as sets of different sizes.

Abstract: A suture anchor device having an anchor member with outwardly extending wing members and an actuating wedge member. The suture anchor device is inserted into a bore hole in a bone as part of an orthopedic surgical procedure wherein soft tissue such as a tendon or ligament is attached to the surface of the bone. The wing members are spread outwardly by the wedge member to lock the suture anchor device in the bone. The suture anchor has similar utility in soft tissue applications.

Abstract: A femur head prosthesis has a curved elongate body for insertion into a femoral intramedullary canal and at least one bore extending downwardly between an entrance opening in the upper lateral region of one side of the body and an exit opening in the lower medial region of the other side, each exit opening being arranged for positioning below the calcar region of a femur; a procedure for implantation thereof; a one-piece molded plastic acetabular component for a hip prosthesis; and a femoral component permitting relative rotation between the ball and stem portions thereof.

Abstract: A suture anchor device having an anchor member with outwardly extending wing members and an actuating wedge member. The suture anchor device is inserted into a bore hole in a bone as part of an orthopedic surgical procedure wherein soft tissue such as a tendon or ligament is attached to the surface of the bone. The wing members are spread outwardly by the wedge member to lock the suture anchor device in the bone. The suture anchor has similar utility in soft tissue applications.