Abstract: A bone fixation system has a bone implant with an implant body. The implant body defines an upper surface, a bone-facing surface spaced from the upper surface along a transverse direction, and at least one aperture defined by an inner wall. A bone fixation element is configured for insertion at least partially through the aperture. The bone fixation element defines a proximal end and a distal end spaced from the proximal end along a central axis. The bone fixation element has a head and a shaft that extends relative to the head toward the distal end. The head defines a first ridge, a second ridge spaced from the first ridge, and a groove disposed between the first and second ridges. The groove can receive at least a portion of the inner wall to couple the bone fixation element to the bone implant.

Abstract: A drill guide includes a first bone plate that extends along a first middle plane, and a second bone plate that extends along a second middle plane. The drill guide further includes a first articulation and a second articulation that is connected to the first articulation. The first and second articulations are arranged between the first and the second bone plate. Each of the first and second articulations is releasably lockable.

Abstract: An anchor-in-anchor fixation system is provided for securing underlying structure, such as bone. The fixation system includes a linkage that defines first and second bores, a first bone anchor having a shaft for fixation to underlying bone, and a head that is configured to attach to the linkage in the first bore, and a second bone anchor having a shaft for fixation to underlying bone and a head that is configured to attach to the linkage in the second bore.

Abstract: A method for elongating a tendon including by moving a cutting blade along the tendon in a helical path so as to make a helical cut in the tendon which allows elongation of the tendon.

Abstract: An adjustable length bone screw is provided that has a shaft that can be cut at any of several predetermined positions. The adjustable length bone screws can be provided in a kit containing many bone screws having the same or different initial lengths, and these screws can be cut to the desired length for use in the surgical procedure prior to, or during, the surgical procedure. The adjustable length bone screws have a plurality of threaded shaft sections that are separated by a plurality of unthreaded shaft sections along the length of the shaft. The threaded sections have preferably at least two cutting flutes extending longitudinally along the shaft. The invention provides the adjustable length bone screws, a tool for cutting the bone screws to a desired length, kits containing the bone screws and optionally the cutting tool, and methods for using the screws and/or the cutting tool in preparation for or during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A bone fixation system has a bone implant with an implant body. The implant body defines an upper surface, a bone-facing surface spaced from the upper surface along a transverse direction, and at least one aperture defined by an inner wall. A bone fixation element is configured for insertion at least partially through the aperture. The bone fixation element has a head and a shaft that extends relative to the head in a distal direction. The head defines a ridge and at least one thread that is spaced from the ridge in the distal direction. The ridge is configured to compress a bone implant against the at least one thread so as to fixedly retain the bone implant with respect to the head.

Abstract: An adjustable length bone screw is provided that has a shaft that can be cut at any of several predetermined positions. The adjustable length bone screws can be provided in a kit containing many bone screws having the same or different initial lengths, and these screws can be cut to the desired length for use in the surgical procedure prior to, or during, the surgical procedure. The adjustable length bone screws have a plurality of threaded shaft sections that are separated by a plurality of unthreaded shaft sections along the length of the shaft. The threaded sections have preferably at least two cutting flutes extending longitudinally along the shaft. The invention provides the adjustable length bone screws, a tool for cutting the bone screws to a desired length, kits containing the bone screws and optionally the cutting tool, and methods for using the screws and/or the cutting tool in preparation for or during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for elongating a tendon including a cutting blade and a cutting guide supporting the cutting blade in such a way that the cutting blade is movable through at least a portion of a tendon in a helical path so as to make a helical cut in the tendon which allows elongation of the tendon.

Abstract: A bone plate for the stabilization of bones includes upper and lower surfaces extending along a central longitudinal axis. The lower surface is configured to contact a target portion of bone when in an operative configuration a through opening extending through the plate from the upper surface to the lower surface. The through opening is sized and shaped to receive a stabilization plate. The through opening has an elongated curved shape selected to conform to a cross-sectional shape of a proximal portion of the stabilization plate.

Abstract: A drill guide includes a first bone plate that extends along a first middle plane, and a second bone plate that extends along a second middle plane. The drill guide further includes a first articulation and a second articulation that is connected to the first articulation. The first and second articulations are arranged between the first and the second bone plate. Each of the first and second articulations is releasably lockable.

Abstract: A drill guide includes a first bone plate that extends along a first middle plane, and a second bone plate that extends along a second middle plane. The drill guide further includes a first articulation and a second articulation that is connected to the first articulation. The first and second articulations are arranged between the first and the second bone plate. Each of the first and second articulations is releasably lockable.

Abstract: An adjustable length bone screw is provided that has a shaft that can be cut at any of several predetermined positions. The adjustable length bone screws can be provided in a kit containing many bone screws having the same or different initial lengths, and these screws can be cut to the desired length for use in the surgical procedure prior to, or during, the surgical procedure. The adjustable length bone screws have a plurality of threaded shaft sections that are separated by a plurality of unthreaded shaft sections along the length of the shaft. The threaded sections have preferably at least two cutting flutes extending longitudinally along the shaft. The invention provides the adjustable length bone screws, a tool for cutting the bone screws to a desired length, kits containing the bone screws and optionally the cutting tool, and methods for using the screws and/or the cutting tool in preparation for or during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: Intramedullary fixation assemblies (4, 8) and intramedullary fixation devices (1, 24) can be used in orthopaedic surgery for the fixation of bone fractures. Also disclosed is an insertion device (30) for inserting an intramedullary fixation device, and a method of fixing a bone fracture. The fixation devices are preferably for addressing fractures of the distal radius, and are preferably styloid nails. The styloid nails preferably have a head portion that can accept up to three bone screws; one of the bone screws is designed to extend across a fracture line between a proximal and a distal bone fragment while the other bone screws are designed to be retained in the distal bone fragment.

Abstract: An intramedullary fixation system is configured to be fixed to first and second bone segments that are separated by a defect. The system includes an intramedullary fixation member that includes first and second wire segments that are twisted about each other so as to define a plurality of intersections. A distal one of the intersections is separable, such that rotation of the fixation device in a medullary canal causes bone material in the medullary canal to apply a counterforce to the wire segments that causes the distal intersection to separate, thereby driving respective distal ends of the wire segments into the bone segment, such that subsequent movement of the intramedullary fixation member a toward the first bone segment causes the second bone segment to move toward the first bone segment. The intramedullary fixation system can further include a fixation clip that anchors the intramedullary fixation member to the first bone segment.

Abstract: A bone fixation system has a bone implant with an implant body. The implant body defines an upper surface, a bone-facing surface spaced from the upper surface along a transverse direction, and at least one aperture defined by an inner wall. A bone fixation element is configured for insertion at least partially through the aperture. The bone fixation element defines a proximal end and a distal end spaced from the proximal end along a central axis. The bone fixation element has a head and a shaft that extends relative to the head toward the distal end. The head defines a first ridge, a second ridge spaced from the first ridge, and a groove disposed between the first and second ridges. The groove can receive at least a portion of the inner wall to couple the bone fixation element to the bone implant.

Abstract: A bone implant can be made from a wire that defines an aperture for receiving a bone fixation means. The wire can be selected to stably fix a bone across a fracture location.

Abstract: An anchor-in-anchor fixation system is provided for securing underlying structure, such as bone. The fixation system includes a linkage that defines first and second bores, a first bone anchor having a shaft for fixation to underlying bone, and a head that is configured to attach to the linkage in the first bore, and a second bone anchor having a shaft for fixation to underlying bone and a head that is configured to attach to the linkage in the second bore.

Abstract: A bone plate for the stabilization of bones includes upper and lower surfaces extending along a central longitudinal axis. The lower surface is configured to contact a target portion of bone when in an operative configuration a through opening extending through the plate from the upper surface to the lower surface. The through opening is sized and shaped to receive a stabilization plate. The through opening has an elongated curved shape selected to conform to a cross-sectional shape of a proximal portion of the stabilization plate.

Abstract: A bone plate for the stabilization of bones includes upper and lower surfaces extending along a central longitudinal axis. The lower surface is configured to contact a target portion of bone when in an operative configuration a through opening extending through the plate from the upper surface to the lower surface. The through opening is sized and shaped to receive a stabilization plate. The through opening has an elongated curved shape selected to conform to a cross-sectional shape of a proximal portion of the stabilization plate.

Abstract: A bone plate for the stabilization of bones includes upper and lower surfaces extending along a central longitudinal axis. The lower surface is configured to contact a target portion of bone when in an operative configuration a through opening extending through the plate from the upper surface to the lower surface. The through opening is sized and shaped to receive a stabilization plate. The through opening has an elongated curved shape selected to conform to a cross-sectional shape of a proximal portion of the stabilization plate.