Abstract: A plate is disclosed for compressing together first and second bone parts. The plate includes screw holes adapted to receive screws for insertion into first and second bone parts, respectively, at least one of the screw holes being a compression slot with formations configured to ensure, when a respective screw is seated within the slot, an adjustable compression force adapted to bring the first and second bone parts closer together. The plate also comprises a circular guide pin hole for insertion of a pin into one of the first and second bone parts, and another guide pin hole, in the form of an elongate slot, for insertion of a pin into the other of the first and second bone parts. The plate may also include a curvature adapted to cause at least a pair of screws inserted into screw holes of the plate to converge.

Abstract: A protective member having a substantially flat base portion, and a substantially cup-shaped member extending from a forward end of the base portion. The base portion is attachable to a shoe, such that the cup-shaped member substantially encapsulates and protects a forefoot and toe region. Further, at least one opening is provided in a forward portion of the cup-shaped member to allow access to the forefoot and toe region. The cup-shaped member is further defined by an anterior portion extending upward from the base portion, a dorsal extension portion extending from an upper end of the anterior portion, where the dorsal extension portion provided to substantially cover a top portion of the forefoot and toe region, and at least one lateral extension portion extending from a side end of the anterior portion, where the at least one lateral extension portion provided to substantially cover a lateral portion of said forefoot and toe region.

Abstract: Devices and methods of manufacturing and using the same are provided for treating patients suffering from tendon dysfunction. Certain exemplary brace embodiments contain strapping systems and inflatable cells that are adapted to support the forefoot of the patient.

Abstract: A technique and associated instrumentation for correcting large intermetatarsal angles that result from hallux valgus. The system includes a button and a suture loop attached to the button. A suture strand is threaded through holes in the button to attach the button to the suture. The suture ends are then brought together (by being swaged, spliced or cinched together, for example) to form the suture loop comprising a continuous, uninterrupted suture loop with a single strand of swaged-together ends. The swaged-together ends may be attached to a suture passing instrument such as a K-wire (Kirschner wire) that may be further used to drill a hole through the first and second metatarsals. The swaged-together ends of the suture are then passed through the drill holes in the first and second metatarsals; and the ends of the suture are pulled until the button abuts the second metatarsal.

Abstract: The plate is fixed by screws (3) engaged in holes (1a) formed in the thickness of the plate which is designed in such a way as to ensure an adjustable compression effort, created by a screwing effect, which brings the two bone parts closer together. The design consists of at least one recess (1b) having a cross-section defining a plurality of separate areas (1b1), (1b2) and (1b3) that can co-operate with a screw (3) in order to generate a progressive translational movement of the screw (3) during the screwing action, corresponding to a movement of at least one of the bone parts, and causing the compression effort. Said plate (1) comprises a recess (1c) for the introduction of a spindle (4) on the side of one of the bone parts, and another recess (1d) for the introduction of a spindle (5) on the side of the other bone part, one of said recesses (1c) consisting of a circular hole having a diameter which essentially corresponds to that of the spindle (4), and the other recess (1d) consisting of an oblong hole.

Abstract: A technique and associated instrumentation for correcting large intermetatarsal angles that result from hallux valgus. The system includes a button and a suture loop attached to the button. A suture strand is threaded through holes in the button to attach the button to the suture. The suture ends are then brought together (by being swaged, spliced or cinched together, for example) to form the suture loop comprising a continuous, uninterrupted suture loop with a single strand of swaged-together ends. The swaged-together ends may be attached to a suture passing instrument such as a K-wire (Kirschner wire) that may be further used to drill a hole through the first and second metatarsals. The swaged-together ends of the suture are then passed through the drill holes in the first and second metatarsals; and the ends of the suture are pulled until the button abuts the second metatarsal.

Abstract: A device and method for treating a foot and ankle with a splint and an adjustable bladder. The method includes providing a device including a rigid splint that maintains a heel of the foot and at least one adjustable bladder provided underneath only a front of the foot; adjusting an inflation of the at least one bladder to a treatment inflation state; and maintaining a foot and ankle within the device for an extended period of time such that the foot and ankle are substantially immobilized in a dorsiflexion position or the foot and ankle are substantially immobilized in a position whereby plantarflexion is provided to the ankle.

Abstract: An internal human prosthesis used in surgical procedures to treat flatfoot deformities, including pediatric, adult congenital, and adult acquired deformities. The internal prosthesis is inserted between the human talus and calcaneus bones. In a preferred embodiment, the prosthesis has a truncated conical shape along its long axis and a central bore through the center of its long axis. The base of the prosthesis includes a concave depression with a polygonal recess in its center.

Abstract: According to a first embodiment of our invention, a monitoring device is placed above, within, or on the bottom of a cast, boot, shoe, or other lower extremity immobilization or protective device, and has one or more single or cluster of pressure sensitive chambers designed to burst at a predetermined force or weight. The pressure sensitive chambers may be filled with air, liquid, semi-liquid, or particulate material. Once properly positioned, the device serves to detect and alert one or more individuals to the fact that weight-bearing has occurred and/or that a certain amount of force has been transmitted across the bottom or other portion of the cast, boot, shoe, mat, sock, insole, or lower extremity immobilization or protective device in a setting where such pressure could be deleterious or harmful (including situations where patients are recovering from a bony fracture, tendon injury, and recent lower extremity surgery).

Abstract: A device that can be inserted into footwear, or used as part of footwear that is designed to correct foot and ankle pathologies through user adjustable, strategically located fluid chamber or chambers.

Abstract: A protective member having a substantially flat base portion, and a substantially cup-shaped member extending from a forward end of the base portion. The base portion is attachable to a shoe, such that the cup-shaped member substantially encapsulates and protects a forefoot and toe region. Further, at least one opening is provided in a forward portion of the cup-shaped member to allow access to the forefoot and toe region. The cup-shaped member is further defined by an anterior portion extending upward from the base portion, a dorsal extension portion extending from an upper end of the anterior portion, where the dorsal extension portion provided to substantially cover a top portion of the forefoot and toe region, and at least one lateral extension portion extending from a side end of the anterior portion, where the at least one lateral extension portion provided to substantially cover a lateral portion of said forefoot and toe region.