Abstract: A method of fabricating a bone substitute material comprises the steps of providing a foam material (3) having an open cell structure, distorting the shape of the foam material (3) and holding the material in a distorted shape, coating the walls of the cells of the foam material with a ceramic slip (5), removing the foam material, and sintering the ceramic slip to form a bone substitute material that is approximately a positive image of the distorted foam material (3). In another method, a granular bone material is formed from a multiplicity of pieces of foam that are not distorted.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a bone substitute material comprises the steps of providing a foam material (3) having an open cell structure, distorting the shape of the foam material (3) and holding the material in a distorted shape, coating the walls of the cells of the foam material with a ceramic slip (5), removing the foam material, and sintering the ceramic slip to form a bone substitute material that is approximately a positive image of the distorted foam material (3). In another method, a granular bone material is formed from a multiplicity of pieces of foam that are not distorted.

Abstract: A bone fixation system has an elongate portion (122; 299) for engaging over a long bone (e.g. a femur) and an end engagement portion (120; 260) for engaging over an end region of a long bone (e.g. a greater trochanter). To allow for variation in bone geometries, the two portions are pivotably connectable. Preferably the connection is lockable. Thus the system can be adapted to a particular bone geometry and then made rigid.

Abstract: A bone grip (100; 200; 300) for use with cerclage cables (140, 142, 144) is typically A-shaped, with two side limbs (102, 104; 202, 204; 302, 304) joining to form a rearwardly curving proximal hook (112; 212; 312). There are "horizontal" holes (114, 116; 214, 216; 314, 316) for cerclage cables extending through the side limbs and through a bridge (106; 206; 306). A "vertical" cerclage cable (144) is guided through a tubular end portion of the hook (124; 224; 324). It may be further guided by a groove (130; 230; 330) on the front surface of the grip and/or by passage through a hole (252) in a bridge (250).

Abstract: A cerclage fixation component and a screw fixation component are engageable together to form a composite bone fixation device. The cerclage component may be a ladder plate with openings defined between bridges. The openings provide sockets for bosses of the screw fixation component.