Abstract: Systems and methods and for identifying a mechanical axis of a bone may include identifying an orientation of an intercondylar feature on the bone, projecting a plane based on the orientation of the intercondylar feature, and identifying the orientation of the mechanical axis of the bone based on the plane. The plane may contain at least a portion of the intercondylar feature and the mechanical axis of the bone therein.

Abstract: Cutting guides for use in orthopedic surgery are disclosed. In some embodiments, the cutting guides comprise monolithic polymer cutting blocks with one or more slots and guide inserts to allow for the provision of various desired surgical cuts to a bone by a cutting saw. In other embodiments, the cutting guides may comprise adjustable guide bars with one or more slots and inserts to allow for various desired surgical cuts to a bone. The location and directionality of the cuts may be configured to match the geometry of a surgical implant.

Abstract: Knee arthroplasty instrument systems directly reference and align with the anterior distal femoral cortex and the mechanical axis of the leg. The anterior femoral resection is aligned in the same plane as the anterior distal femoral cortex. The center of the femoral head, the medial/lateral center of the distal femur, the medial/lateral center of the proximal tibia, and the second toe, medial/lateral center of the ankle, or anterior tibial spine are all aligned to the mechanical axis of the leg. Methods of using the instrument systems are disclosed.

Abstract: An angle gauge may be used to facilitate arthroplasty of a knee joint between a femur and a tibia. The angle gauge may have a base configured to contact a distal end of the femur, a post pivotably connected to the base such that the post is visually alignable with Whiteside's Line on the femur, and an angle capture feature configured to capture an angle of Whiteside's Line when the post is in alignment with Whiteside's Line. The post may be part of a sizing guide that indicates an appropriate size of a femoral arthroplasty implant. According to one method for carrying out knee arthroplasty, a distal femur may first be exposed. The orientation of Whiteside's Line on the distal femur may be assessed. Based on the orientation, a position and/or orientation may be defined for one or more resections to be made to the distal femur.

Abstract: Knee arthroplasty instrument systems directly reference and align with the anterior distal femoral cortex and the mechanical axis of the leg. The anterior femoral resection is aligned in the same plane as the anterior distal femoral cortex. The center of the femoral head, the medial/lateral center of the distal femur, the medial/lateral center of the proximal tibia, and the second toe, medial/lateral center of the ankle, or anterior tibial spine are all aligned to the mechanical axis of the leg. Methods of using the instrument systems are disclosed.

Abstract: Cutting guides for use in orthopedic surgery are disclosed. In some embodiments, the cutting guides comprise monolithic polymer cutting blocks with one or more slots and guide inserts to allow for the provision of various desired surgical cuts to a bone by a cutting saw. In other embodiments, the cutting guides may comprise adjustable guide bars with one or more slots and inserts to allow for various desired surgical cuts to a bone. The location and directionality of the cuts may be configured to match the geometry of a surgical implant.

Abstract: Knee arthroplasty instrument systems directly reference and align with the anterior distal femoral cortex and the mechanical axis of the leg. The anterior femoral resection is aligned in the same plane as the anterior distal femoral cortex. The center of the femoral head, the medial/lateral center of the distal femur, the medial/lateral center of the proximal tibia, and the second toe, medial/lateral center of the ankle, or anterior tibial spine are all aligned to the mechanical axis of the leg. Methods of using the instrument systems are disclosed.

Abstract: Knee arthroplasty instrument systems directly reference and align with the anterior distal femoral cortex and the mechanical axis of the leg. The anterior femoral resection is aligned in the same plane as the anterior distal femoral cortex. The center of the femoral head, the medial/lateral center of the distal femur, the medial/lateral center of the proximal tibia, and the second toe, medial/lateral center of the ankle, or anterior tibial spine are all aligned to the mechanical axis of the leg. Methods of using a cut guide assembly and referencing a provisional proximal tibial resection at the base of the tibial eminence are disclosed.

Abstract: An adjustable femoral pin guide assembly includes a base and a femoral extension rod assembly. The base may be rotated to align with the femoral shaft axis while the femoral extension rod assembly aligns with the leg mechanical axis. An adjustable distal femoral cut guide assembly may be adjusted to provide a range of varus/valgus angles for the distal femoral resection. An adjustable, single-use, disposable four-in-one cut guide may be adjusted to position saw slots for the anterior and posterior femoral resections and the anterior and posterior chamfer cuts for various size femoral components, then locked. A foot holder assembly includes an anterior tibial target that may be adjusted in three dimensions relative to the tibia. A femoral sizing guide includes a sliding drill guide to position a pin in the distal femur in a specific orientation relative to the leg mechanical axis.

Abstract: Instrument systems for knee arthroplasty provide multiple bone pin holes and/or saw slots for making femoral and tibial resections. The systems are directly or indirectly positioned and oriented with respect to the femoral mechanical axis, distal surface of a femoral condyle, Whiteside's line, proximal tibial plateau, and the tibial mechanical axis.

Abstract: An Achilles tendon alignment system may include an Achilles tendon referencing feature and a target fixed in a target position relative to the Achilles tendon referencing feature. When the Achilles tendon referencing feature references an Achilles tendon of a patient, the target may be aligned with a mechanical axis of a tibia of the patient in the vicinity of an ankle joint of the patient in an anterior view. Another Achilles tendon alignment system may include an Achilles receiver and a target configured to couple with the Achilles receiver. The Achilles receiver may include a notch configured to receive an Achilles tendon of a patient. When the Achilles receiver is coupled with the target, the target is located at a target position anterior to the notch.

Abstract: Knee arthroplasty instrument systems directly reference and align with the anterior distal femoral cortex and the mechanical axis of the leg. The anterior femoral resection is aligned in the same plane as the anterior distal femoral cortex. The center of the femoral head, the medial/lateral center of the distal femur, the medial/lateral center of the proximal tibia, and the second toe, medial/lateral center of the ankle, or anterior tibial spine are all aligned to the mechanical axis of the leg. Methods of using the instrument systems are disclosed.

Abstract: Knee arthroplasty instrument systems directly reference and align with the anterior distal femoral cortex and the mechanical axis of the leg. The anterior femoral resection is aligned in the same plane as the anterior distal femoral cortex. The center of the femoral head, the medial/lateral center of the distal femur, the medial/lateral center of the proximal tibia, and the second toe, medial/lateral center of the ankle, or anterior tibial spine are all aligned to the mechanical axis of the leg. Methods of using the instrument systems are disclosed.

Abstract: Knee arthroplasty instrument systems directly reference and align with the anterior distal femoral cortex and the mechanical axis of the leg. The anterior femoral resection is aligned in the same plane as the anterior distal femoral cortex. The center of the femoral head, the medial/lateral center of the distal femur, the medial/lateral center of the proximal tibia, and the second toe, medial/lateral center of the ankle, or anterior tibial spine are all aligned to the mechanical axis of the leg. Methods of using a cut guide assembly and referencing a provisional proximal tibial resection at the base of the tibial eminence are disclosed.

Abstract: Knee arthroplasty instrument systems directly reference and align with the anterior distal with the anterior distal femoral cortex, the mechanical axis of the leg, and Whiteside's line. The anterior femoral resection is aligned in the same plane as the anterior distal femoral cortex. The center of the femoral head, the medial/lateral center of the distal femur, the medial/lateral center of the proximal tibia, and the second toe, medial/lateral center of the ankle, or anterior tibial spine are all aligned to the mechanical axis of the leg while the leg is in full extension and the knee joint is distracted. Whiteside's line is referenced while the distal femur is intact, before any distal femoral resection, and the anterior and posterior femoral resections and chamfer cuts are aligned to this reference using a jig. Methods of using the instrument systems are disclosed.

Abstract: An adjustable femoral pin guide assembly includes a base and a femoral extension rod assembly. The base may be rotated to align with the femoral shaft axis while the femoral extension rod assembly aligns with the leg mechanical axis. An adjustable distal femoral cut guide assembly may be adjusted to provide a range of varus/valgus angles for the distal femoral resection. An adjustable, single-use, disposable four-in-one cut guide may be adjusted to position saw slots for the anterior and posterior femoral resections and the anterior and posterior chamfer cuts for various size femoral components, then locked. A foot holder assembly includes an anterior tibial target that may be adjusted in three dimensions relative to the tibia. A femoral sizing guide includes a sliding drill guide to position a pin in the distal femur in a specific orientation relative to the leg mechanical axis.

Abstract: A prosthesis for the replacement of multiple diseased or traumatized spinal facets comprises a portion that replaces at least a bony portion of the facets to be replaced and where the prosthesis attaches to the vertebra in a manner that does not require attachment to, or abutment against, the lamina. Multiple configurations of the prosthesis provide for replacement of the two inferior facets, the two superior facets, a superior and inferior facet, or all four facets. A method of installing the prosthesis is provided that is comprised of the steps of resecting at least a portion of the facets that carry the diseased or traumatized spinal facets and attaching the prosthesis in a manner that does not require attachment or abutment against the lamina.

Abstract: Prosthetic replacement for a posterior element of a vertebra comprising portions that replace the natural lamina and the four natural facets. The prosthetic replacement may also include portions that replace one or more of the natural spinous process and the two natural transverse processes. If desired, the prosthesis replacement may also replace the natural pedicles. A method for replacing a posterior element of a vertebra is also provided.

Abstract: Knee arthroplasty instrument systems directly reference and align with the anterior distal femoral cortex and the mechanical axis of the leg. The anterior femoral resection is aligned in the same plane as the anterior distal femoral cortex. The center of the femoral head, the medial/lateral center of the distal femur, the medial/lateral center of the proximal tibia, and the second toe, medial/lateral center of the ankle, or anterior tibial spine are all aligned to the mechanical axis of the leg. Methods of using the instrument systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A prosthesis for the replacement of multiple diseased or traumatized spinal facets comprises a portion that replaces at least a bony portion of the facets to be replaced and where the prosthesis attaches to the vertebra in a manner that does not require attachment to, or abutment against, the lamina. Multiple configurations of the prosthesis provide for replacement of the two inferior facets, the two superior facets, a superior and inferior facet, or all four facets. A method of installing the prosthesis is provided that is comprised of the steps of resecting at least a portion of the facets that carry the diseased or traumatized spinal facets and attaching the prosthesis in a manner that does not require attachment or abutment against the lamina.