Abstract: A drill guide includes a body, a stabilizing member, a tubular guide sleeve, and an engagement member. The body includes a first channel aligned with a longitudinal axis and a second channel transverse to the longitudinal axis. The first channel is dimensioned to receive the sleeve, while the second channel is dimensioned to receive an engagement member. The engagement member is adapted to move within the second channel between an engaged position, where the engagement member inhibits proximal motion of the sleeve, and a second position, where motion of the sleeve is not inhibited. An alignment member is further mounted to the distal end of the sleeve that includes a distally extending member, spaced from the sleeve. In use, the distally extending member may be employed to exert a force upon a bone or other tissue lateral to the longitudinal axis for improved positioning of the bone or tissue.

Abstract: A blade-like stem of a hip joint prosthesis for anchoring in the femur, including a prosthesis neck portion and a femur-anchoring portion extending therefrom and having a proximal end and a distal end, the femur-anchoring portion including a proximal arcuate portion extending from a location adjacent the proximal end and having a radius of curvature that changes in a distal-to-proximal direction, and the femur-anchoring portion further including a distal tapered portion extending from the proximal arcuate portion toward the distal end.

Abstract: A blade-like stem of a hip joint prosthesis for anchoring in the femur, including a prosthesis neck portion and a femur-anchoring portion extending therefrom and having a proximal end and a distal end, the femur-anchoring portion including a proximal arcuate portion extending from a location adjacent the proximal end and having a radius of curvature that changes in a distal-to-proximal direction, and the femur-anchoring portion further including a distal tapered portion extending from the proximal arcuate portion toward the distal end.

Abstract: A blade-like stem of a hip joint prosthesis for anchoring in the femur, including a portion comprising a prosthesis neck on the one hand and a femur-anchoring portion tapering towards a distal end on the other hand, the lateral narrow side of which comprises a distal straight portion and a proximal arcuate portion, the straight portion extending over a length of from 60% to 75% of the total length of the stem.

Abstract: Methods of joint repair employing sutures and attached fixation devices are discussed. For example, a bone block graft procedure (e.g., Latarjet) is discussed which employs fixation devices to secure contact between graft surfaces of two bones. A suture construct, including a continuous suture loop routed through a first fastener, is secured to a first bone. Looped ends of the suture loop are passed through passageways formed in the two bones. The looped suture ends are further routed through a second fastener. The second fastener is mounted to the second bone and a sliding knot, formed in the looped suture ends, is advanced into contact with the second fastener. The suture is further tensioned using a tensioner device to secure the two bones together.

Abstract: Methods of joint repair employing sutures and attached fixation devices are discussed. For example, a bone block graft procedure (e.g., Latarjet) is discussed which employs fixation devices to secure contact between graft surfaces of two bones. A suture construct, including a continuous suture loop routed through a first fastener, is secured to a first bone. Looped ends of the suture loop are passed through passageways formed in the two bones. The looped suture ends are further routed through a second fastener. The second fastener is mounted to the second bone and a sliding knot, formed in the looped suture ends, is advanced into contact with the second fastener. The suture is further tensioned using a tensioner device to secure the two bones together.

Abstract: A drill guide includes a body, a stabilizing member, a tubular guide sleeve, and an engagement member. The body includes a first channel aligned with a longitudinal axis and a second channel transverse to the longitudinal axis. The first channel is dimensioned to receive the sleeve, while the second channel is dimensioned to receive an engagement member. The engagement member is adapted to move within the second channel between an engaged position, where the engagement member inhibits proximal motion of the sleeve, and a second position, where motion of the sleeve is not inhibited. An alignment member is further mounted to the distal end of the sleeve that includes a distally extending member, spaced from the sleeve. In use, the distally extending member may be employed to exert a force upon a bone or other tissue lateral to the longitudinal axis for improved positioning of the bone or tissue.

Abstract: Methods of joint repair employing sutures and attached fixation devices are discussed. For example, a bone block graft procedure (e.g., Latarjet) is discussed which employs fixation devices to secure contact between graft surfaces of two bones. A suture construct, including a continuous suture loop routed through a first fastener, is secured to a first bone. Looped ends of the suture loop are passed through passageways formed in the two bones. The looped suture ends are further routed through a second fastener. The second fastener is mounted to the second bone and a sliding knot, formed in the looped suture ends, is advanced into contact with the second fastener. The suture is further tensioned using a tensioner device to secure the two bones together.

Abstract: A method of optimizing the geometry of a femoral stem of hip joint prosthesis is disclosed. The femoral stem comprises a neck and an anchoring blade that is attached to the neck and that tapers towards a distal end with a lateral narrow side comprising a distal straight portion and a proximal arcuate portion corresponding to a curve. The transition between the distal straight portion and the proximal arcuate portion occurs at an outer lateral point. The method comprises a means of optimizing the profile of the curve of said proximal arcuate portion by a process of iterative modeling steps using a series of curves each defined by a path traced by the outer lateral point on withdrawal of a profile of the stem from a cavity of complementary shape to the stem.

Abstract: A method of optimizing the geometry of a femoral stem of a hip joint prosthesis is disclosed. The femoral stem comprises a neck and an anchoring blade that is attached to the neck and that tapers towards a distal end with a lateral narrow side comprising a distal straight portion and a proximal arcuate portion corresponding to a curve. The transition between the distal straight portion and the proximal arcuate portion occurs at an outer lateral point. The method comprises a means of optimizing the profile of the curve of said proximal arcuate portion by a process of iterative modeling steps using a series of curves each defined by a path traced by the outer lateral point on withdrawal of a profile of the stem from a cavity of complementary shape to the stem. Preferably, during withdrawal of the profile of the stem from the cavity contact between lateral-distal and proximal-medial stem contours and respective associated boundaries of the cavity are maintained.

Abstract: Blade-like stem (10) of a hip joint prosthesis for anchoring in the femur, having a portion (19) comprising a prosthesis neck (18) on the one hand and a femur-anchoring portion (21) tapering towards a distal end (20) on the other hand, the lateral narrow side (22) of which comprises a distal straight portion (23) and a proximal arcuate portion (11), the straight portion (23) extending over a length (LD) of from 60% to 75% of the total length (LG) of the stem (10).