Abstract: An intra-osseous support structure can be used to fixate opposed portions of bone. In some examples, the intra-osseous support structure is positioned in openings formed in adjacent portions of bones. Fasteners are inserted through the bone portions to secure the intra-osseous support structure in the bones. Depending on the application, one or more external bone plates may also be applied to the bone portions. The external bone plate may be in compression while the intra-osseous support structure is in tension under load in situ.

Abstract: A bone cutting guide may include a support that contains a shaft movable relative to the support. The shaft may carry a guide member having one or more cut guides through which a clinician inserts a cutting member to cut bone positioned under the guide cut guides. In operation, a clinician may fixate the support of the bone cutting guide to a bone and translate the guide member until the one or more cut guides are positioned at a desired cut location. The clinician may then perform a cut through the cut guide.

Abstract: Instruments and surgical techniques may be used to correct a bone deformity, such as a bunion in which a metatarsal is misaligned with respect to a medial cuneiform. In some examples, a bone cutting guide is utilized to cut an end of the metatarsal and/or an end of the medial cuneiform to facilitate realignment of the bones. The cutting guide can have a pivotable cut guide surface along which a cutting instrument is translated to provide a precise bone cut. In some applications, after suitably preparing and aligning the bones, the bones are compressed together using a fixation pin. The fixation pin can be driven through one of the bones, into the second bone, and then further driven to compress the bones together.

Abstract: A method of performing a bunion surgery to correct an alignment between a first metatarsal and a first cuneiform may involve aligning a bone cutting guide with a joint between the first metatarsal and the first cuneiform. The bone cutting guide can have a joint plate offset from a guide feature, with the joint plate extending downwardly relative to the guide feature. The process of aligning the bone cutting guide with the joint may involve inserting the joint plate into the joint. The method may involve using the guide feature of the bone cutting guide to guide a cutting tool to cut a leading edge of the first metatarsal and adjusting an alignment of the first metatarsal relative to the first cuneiform using a bone positioning device. The method may also involve fixing a position of the first metatarsal relative to the first cuneiform with a bone connector.

Abstract: An osteotomy procedure may be performed to correct a misalignment of a bone, such as a bunion deformity. In some examples, the osteotomy procedure involves making a spherical-shaped cut transecting a first metatarsal, thereby forming a first metatarsal portion having a spherical-shaped projection and a second metatarsal portion having a spherical-shaped recess. The method further involves moving the second metatarsal portion in at least two planes relative to the first metatarsal portion, thereby adjusting an anatomical alignment of the second metatarsal portion.

Abstract: Methods for temporarily fixing an orientation of a bone or bones. Methods of correcting a bunion deformity. Bone positioning devices. Methods of using a bone positioning device. Bone preparation guides. Methods of using a bone preparation guide.

Abstract: A bone cutting guide may include a support that contains a shaft movable relative to the support. The shaft may carry a guide member having one or more cut guides through which a clinician inserts a cutting member to cut bone positioned under the guide cut guides. In operation, a clinician may fixate the support of the bone cutting guide to a bone and translate the guide member until the one or more cut guides are positioned at a desired cut location. The clinician may then perform a cut through the cut guide. In some examples, the bone cutting guide includes additional components, such as bridging member or secondary cut guide, to provide additional functionality.

Abstract: In some examples, a method for preparing one or more bones involves inserting a spacer into a space defined between a first bone and a second bone, such as a joint space between a first metatarsal and medial cuneiform. A bone preparation guide can be aligned with opposed ends of the first bone and the second bone using the spacer as an alignment reference. For example, the bone preparation guide may include an opening such that the guide can be installed across the joint space with the spacer received in the opening. A clinician may use the bone preparation guide to guide a tissue removing instrument to cut or otherwise prepare the ends of the first bone portion and second bone portion.

Abstract: Instruments and surgical techniques may be used to correct a bone deformity, such as a bunion in which a metatarsal is misaligned with respect to a medial cuneiform. In some examples, a bone cutting guide is utilized to cut an end of the metatarsal and/or an end of the medial cuneiform to facilitate realignment of the bones. The cutting guide can have a pivotable cut guide surface along which a cutting instrument is translated to provide a precise bone cut. In some applications, after suitably preparing and aligning the bones, the bones are compressed together using a fixation pin. The fixation pin can be driven through one of the bones, into the second bone, and then further driven to compress the bones together.

Abstract: A method of correcting an alignment between bones of a foot may involve positioning a first cutting slot of a bone cutting guide over a first metatarsal and inserting a first fixation pin through a first fixation aperture of the bone cutting guide and into the first metatarsal. The method may also involve inserting a cutting member through the first cutting slot to remove a portion of the first metatarsal and adjusting an alignment of the first metatarsal relative to a first cuneiform. In some examples, the method further includes positioning a second cutting slot of the bone cutting guide over the first cuneiform and inserting a second fixation pin through a second fixation aperture of bone cutting guide into the first cuneiform. The method can involve inserting a cutting member through the second cutting slot to remove a portion of the first cuneiform and causing the first metatarsal to fuse to the first cuneiform in the moved position.

Abstract: A technique for correcting a bone deformity, such as a bunion, may be performed using an instrument. The technique may include preparing an end of a first metatarsal and preparing an end of a medial cuneiform opposing the end of the first metatarsal. The technique may also include moving the first metatarsal relative to the medial cuneiform. The technique can involve inserting the instrument between a first metatarsal and a second metatarsal.

Abstract: A method of preparing a tarsometatarsal joint can include imaging a tarsometatarsal joint of a patient between a metatarsal and a cuneiform to determine a size and/or angle of a wedge-shaped bone portion to be cut at the tarsometatarsal joint. The method can include obtaining a bone preparation guide that includes a first guide surface positionable over the metatarsal and a second guide surface positionable over the cuneiform, where an angle of the first guide surface relative to the second guide surface is selected corresponding to the size and/or angle of the wedge-shaped bone portion to be cut as determined via imaging of the tarsometatarsal joint. The method can include positioning the guide surfaces over the metatarsal and cuneiform and guiding a tissue removing instrument with the guide surfaces to cut an end of the metatarsal and to cut an end of the cuneiform.

Abstract: A bone positioning device can include a fixation pin for attachment to a first bone and a fixation pin for attachment to a second bone. A first block having an aperture can be included for slidably receiving a fixation pin, and a second block having an aperture can be included for slidably receiving a fixation pin. A multi-axis joint can connect the first block and the second block, where the multi-axis joint allows the first second blocks to move with respect to each other about more than one axis.

Abstract: Methods for temporarily fixing an orientation of a bone or bones. Methods of correcting a bunion deformity. Bone positioning devices. Methods of using a bone positioning device. Bone preparation guides. Methods of using a bone preparation guide.

Abstract: A bone positioning guide may include a main body member, a shaft, and a bone engagement member. The shaft can be movably connected to the main body member and have the bone engagement member rotatably coupled to its distal end. The bone engagement member can have a surface configured to engage a bone. The main body member can also include a tip opposite the bone engagement member for engaging a second bone. In use, the bone engagement member may be positioned in contact with a medial side of a first metatarsal while the tip is positioned in contact with a lateral side of a different metatarsal, such as a second metatarsal. The shaft can then be moved to advance the bone engagement member toward the tip, causing realignment of the first metatarsal.

Abstract: A technique for correcting a bone deformity, such as a bunion, may be performed using an instrument. The technique may include preparing an end of a first metatarsal and preparing an end of a medial cuneiform opposing the end of the first metatarsal. The technique may also include moving the first metatarsal relative to the medial cuneiform. The technique can involve inserting the instrument between a first metatarsal and a second metatarsal.

Abstract: In some examples, a method for preparing one or more bones involves inserting a spacer into a space defined between a first bone and a second bone, such as a joint space between a first metatarsal and medial cuneiform. A bone preparation guide can be aligned with opposed ends of the first bone and the second bone using the spacer as an alignment reference. For example, the bone preparation guide may include an opening such that the guide can be installed across the joint space with the spacer received in the opening. A clinician may use the bone preparation guide to guide a tissue removing instrument to cut or otherwise prepare the ends of the first bone portion and second bone portion.

Abstract: A bone positioning device can include a fixation pin for attachment to a first bone and a fixation pin for attachment to a second bone. A first block having an aperture can be included for slidably receiving a fixation pin, and a second block having an aperture can be included for slidably receiving a fixation pin. A multi-axis joint can connect the first block and the second block, where the multi-axis joint allows the first second blocks to move with respect to each other about more than one axis.

Abstract: A method of preparing a tarsometatarsal joint can include imaging a tarsometatarsal joint of a patient between a metatarsal and a cuneiform to determine a size and/or angle of a wedge-shaped bone portion to be cut at the tarsometatarsal joint. The method can include obtaining a bone preparation guide that includes a first guide surface positionable over the metatarsal and a second guide surface positionable over the cuneiform, where an angle of the first guide surface relative to the second guide surface is selected corresponding to the size and/or angle of the wedge-shaped bone portion to be cut as determined via imaging of the tarsometatarsal joint. The method can include positioning the guide surfaces over the metatarsal and cuneiform and guiding a tissue removing instrument with the guide surfaces to cut an end of the metatarsal and to cut an end of the cuneiform.

Abstract: Methods for temporarily fixing an orientation of a bone or bones. Methods of correcting a bunion deformity. Bone positioning devices. Methods of using a bone positioning device. Bone preparation guides. Methods of using a bone preparation guide.