Abstract: An undercutting system for preparing a region between an ilium and a sacrum for sacroiliac fusion. The undercutting system includes an insertion apparatus and a cutting assembly. The cutting assembly is operably mounted with respect to the insertion apparatus. The cutting assembly has a distal end and a proximal end. The cutting assembly includes a plurality of cutting elements and a cutting element attachment mechanism. The cutting element attachment mechanism engages the cutting elements to operably mount the cutting elements with respect to the insertion apparatus. The cutting element attachment mechanism permits the cutting elements to pivot with respect to each other.

Abstract: A method of performing an orthopedic procedure in a sacroiliac region. At least a portion of an undercutting system is inserted at least partially into an aperture in at least one of an ilium and a sacrum. The undercutting system includes an insertion apparatus, a probe assembly and a cutting assembly. The probe assembly is moved with respect to the insertion apparatus from a retracted position to an extended position so that at least a portion of the probe assembly is between the ilium and the sacrum. The probe assembly is manipulated between the ilium and the sacrum. The cutting assembly is moved with respect to the insertion apparatus from a refracted position to an extended position so that at least a portion of the probe assembly is between the ilium and the sacrum. The cutting assembly is manipulated between the ilium and the sacrum to cut tissue between the ilium and the sacrum.

Abstract: A method of treating a facet joint of a patient. The facet joint has a superior facet with a superior articular face and an inferior facet with an inferior articular face. An implant delivery cannula is used to position a superior resurfacing implant and an inferior resurfacing implant between the superior articular face and the inferior articular face.

Abstract: A method of performing an orthopedic procedure in the sacroiliac region. At least one aperture is formed that at least partially extends through at least one of an ilium and a sacrum. An undercutting system is at least partially inserted into the aperture. The undercutting system includes an insertion apparatus, a probe assembly and a cutting assembly. The probe assembly is moved with respect to the insertion apparatus from a retracted position to an extended position. The probe assembly is manipulated within a joint between the ilium and the sacrum while the probe assembly is in the extended position. The cutting assembly is moved with respect to the insertion apparatus from a retracted position to an extended position. The cutting assembly is sharper than the probe assembly. The cutting assembly is manipulated within the joint between the ilium and the sacrum while the cutting assembly is in the extended position to form a fusion region. The undercutting system is removed from the aperture.

Abstract: A method of cutting tissue between a first bone and a second bone. An aperture is formed through the first bone. The aperture has a radius. An undercutting system is provided. The undercutting system includes a cutter. The undercutting system is extended into the aperture. The cutter is moved with respect to the undercutting system to an extended configuration where at least a portion of the cutter extends from the undercutting system. The cutter is used to cut tissue between the first bone and the second bone that is beyond the radius of the aperture. The undercutting system is removed from the aperture.

Abstract: A method of treating a facet joint of a patient. The facet joint includes a superior articular face and an inferior articular face. An implant is secured to an implant insertion tool by mating a first engagement feature on the implant with a second engagement feature on the implant insertion tool. A distal end of a guide cannula is positioned proximate the facet joint. The guide cannula has an internal passage extending therethrough. The implant slides through the guide cannula passage until the implant passes through a distal end of the guide cannula passage and is at least partially between the superior articular face and the inferior articular face. A force of at least 1 Newton is exerted on the implant insertion tool to separate the first engagement feature and the second engagement feature.

Abstract: A facet implant system for implanting between a superior facet and an inferior facet. The facet implant system includes a first facet implant component and a second facet implant component. The first facet implant component has a first articulating surface and a first engagement surface located opposite the first articulating surface. The first facet implant component has a leading edge and a trailing edge. The first facet implant component has teeth that extend from the first engagement surface. The teeth are arranged in a plurality of rows and wherein teeth in adjacent rows are offset from each other. The second facet implant component has a second articulating surface and a second engagement surface located opposite the second articulating surface. The second facet implant component has teeth that extend from the second engagement surface.

Abstract: A method of performing an orthopedic procedure in a sacroiliac region. At least a portion of an undercutting system is inserted at least partially into an aperture in at least one of an ilium and a sacrum. The undercutting system includes an insertion apparatus, a probe assembly and a cutting assembly. The probe assembly is moved with respect to the insertion apparatus from a retracted position to an extended position so that at least a portion of the probe assembly is between the ilium and the sacrum. The probe assembly is manipulated between the ilium and the sacrum. The cutting assembly is moved with respect to the insertion apparatus from a refracted position to an extended position so that at least a portion of the probe assembly is between the ilium and the sacrum. The cutting assembly is manipulated between the ilium and the sacrum to cut tissue between the ilium and the sacrum.

Abstract: An undercutting system for preparing a region between an ilium and a sacrum for sacroiliac fusion. The undercutting system includes a probe assembly and a cutting assembly. The probe assembly is operably mounted to the insertion apparatus. The probe assembly is moveable with respect to the insertion apparatus between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. In the extended configuration at least a portion of the probe assembly extends laterally from the insertion apparatus. The cutting assembly is operably mounted with respect to the probe assembly and the insertion apparatus. The cutting assembly is movable with respect to the insertion apparatus between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. In the extended configuration at least a portion of the cutting assembly extends laterally from the insertion apparatus.

Abstract: An undercutting system for preparing a region between an ilium and a sacrum for sacroiliac fusion. The undercutting system includes an insertion apparatus, a probe assembly and a cutting assembly. The probe assembly is operably mounted to the insertion apparatus. The probe assembly is moveable with respect to the insertion apparatus between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. In the extended configuration at least a portion of the probe assembly extends from the insertion apparatus. The cutting assembly is operably mounted with respect to the probe assembly and the insertion apparatus. The cutting assembly is movable with respect to the insertion apparatus between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. In the extended configuration at least a portion of the cutting assembly extends from the insertion apparatus.

Abstract: An undercutting system for preparing a region between ilium and sacrum for sacroiliac fusion. The undercutting system includes an insertion apparatus and a cutting assembly. The insertion apparatus has an elongate shaft and a rotatable handle. The cutting assembly is operably attached to the insertion apparatus. Rotation of the handle with respect to the shaft causes the cutting assembly to move with respect to the shaft between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. When in the extended configuration, at least a portion of the cutting assembly extends laterally from the shaft.

Abstract: A method of repairing a prior sacroiliac fusion that was not effective at stabilizing a sacroiliac joint. The prior sacroiliac fusion used a first fastening device that extended between an ilium and a sacrum. At least one aperture is formed that at least partially extends through at least one of an ilium and a sacrum. An undercutting system is inserted at least partially into the aperture and is used to cut tissue between the ilium and the sacrum. A second fastening device is inserted into the first aperture to retain the ilium in a stationary position with respect to the sacrum.

Abstract: A method of treating a facet joint of a patient. The facet joint includes a superior facet having superior articular face and an inferior facet having an inferior articular face. A distal end of an implant delivery cannula is extended between the superior and inferior articular faces. The implant delivery cannula has a channel extending therethrough. An implant is moved through the channel until the implant is between the superior and inferior articular faces while at least a portion of the implant is within the channel. The implant includes a first surface and a second surface. The implant delivery cannula is moved away from the superior and inferior articular faces so that the first surface is adjacent the superior articular face and the second surface is adjacent the inferior articular face.

Abstract: A low friction resurfacing implant system including a first implant component having a first bearing surface and a first engagement surface. The first engagement surface is located opposite the first bearing surface. The first implant component has a leading edge and a trailing edge. The first implant component includes teeth that extend from the first engagement surface. The teeth are arranged in a plurality of rows. The teeth in adjacent rows are offset from each other.

Abstract: A radial deployment surgical tool having an inner shaft, an outer shaft and a function head. The radial deployment surgical tool is adapted for performing surgical procedures within narrow regions within a patient.

Abstract: A bone screw including a main body portion having a proximal end and a distal end. An external threaded surface and an internal threaded surface are formed on the main body portion. The external threaded surface intersects the internal threaded surface proximate a lower surface of the external threaded surface and a lower surface of the internal threaded surface. A plurality of bone growth apertures is defined on the surface of the main body portion where the external threaded surface and the internal threaded surface are not located. The bone growth apertures comprise between about 10 percent and about 60 percent of the surface of the main body portion.

Abstract: A method of treating a facet joint of a patient. The facet joint includes a superior articular face and an inferior articular face. An implant is secured to an implant insertion tool by mating a first engagement feature on the implant with a second engagement feature on the implant insertion tool. A distal end of a guide cannula is positioned proximate the facet joint. The guide cannula has an internal passage extending therethrough. The implant slides through the guide cannula passage until the implant passes through a distal end of the guide cannula passage and is at least partially between the superior articular face and the inferior articular face. A force of at least 1 Newton is exerted on the implant insertion tool to separate the first engagement feature and the second engagement feature.

Abstract: A low friction resurfacing implant system including a first implant component having a first bearing surface and a first engagement surface. The first engagement surface is located opposite the first bearing surface. The first implant component has a leading edge and a trailing edge. The first implant component includes teeth that extend from the first engagement surface. The teeth are arranged in a plurality of rows. The teeth in adjacent rows are offset from each other.

Abstract: Various implementations for therapy to facet joints connecting vertebrae are disclosed including: A) Facet joint stabilization that may be implemented using stabilization band that maintains tension between two anchors. The stabilization band may be retained in any one of a number of ways including the use of an anti-slip device such as a mechanically deformed crimp that abuts one of the anchors. B) Facet joint augmentation may be implemented by dilating the facet joint and inserting a facet joint spacer before adding a facet joint stabilization assembly. The facet joint augmentation may include connecting a tail section of the facet joint spacer to the first anchor used in the facet joint stabilization assembly. C) Facet joint immobilization may be implemented by inserting a fastener across the facet joint and into the vertebra so that the assembled fastener expands inside the vertebra.

Abstract: A method of repairing a prior sacroiliac fusion that was not effective at stabilizing a sacroiliac joint. The prior sacroiliac fusion used a first fastening device that extended between an ilium and a sacrum. At least one aperture is formed that at least partially extends through at least one of an ilium and a sacrum. An undercutting system is inserted at least partially into the aperture and is used to cut tissue between the ilium and the sacrum. A second fastening device is inserted into the first aperture to retain the ilium in a stationary position with respect to the sacrum.