Abstract: A medical procedure for use in connection with a patient suffering from cuff tear arthropathy is disclosed. The medial procedure includes securing a prosthetic head component having a glenoid-bearing portion and an acromion-bearing portion to a humerus of a patient so that the glenoid-bearing portion is positioned in bearing contact with a glenoid surface of a scapula of the patient. The method further includes abducting the humerus so as to move the acromion-bearing portion of the prosthetic head component into direct contact with an acromion of the patient.

Abstract: An anchor includes an anchor body configured to be retained within base tissue. The anchor body includes a unidirectional mechanism to selectively restrict passage of a flexible member through the anchor. The flexible member includes a loop to enable attachment of candidate tissue to base tissue without the use of knots.

Abstract: A medical procedure for use in connection with a patient suffering from cuff tear arthropathy is disclosed. The medial procedure includes securing a prosthetic head component having a glenoid-bearing portion and an acromion-bearing portion to a humerus of a patient so that the glenoid-bearing portion is positioned in bearing contact with a glenoid surface of a scapula of the patient. The method further includes abducting the humerus so as to move the acromion-bearing portion of the prosthetic head component into direct contact with an acromion of the patient.

Abstract: A medical procedure for use in connection with a patient suffering from cuff tear arthropathy is disclosed. The medial procedure includes providing a humeral prosthesis having a prosthetic head component, wherein (i) the prosthetic head component includes a glenoid-bearing portion and an acromion-bearing portion, and (ii) the glenoid-bearing portion and the acromion-bearing portion define an outer bearing surface, and (iii) the outer bearing surface extends in a medial/lateral direction across a radial distance D, and (iii) D?190°. The medical procedure further includes implanting the humeral prosthesis in the patient so that the acromion-bearing portion contacts and bears directly against a natural acromion of the patient during abduction of an arm of the patient that possesses the humerus.

Abstract: An anchor includes an anchor body configured to be retained within base tissue. The anchor body includes a unidirectional mechanism to selectively restrict passage of a flexible member through the anchor. The flexible member includes a loop to enable attachment of candidate tissue to base tissue without the use of knots.

Abstract: Systems and methods for bone fixation are disclosed. A fixation system can have a planar fixation device and a laterally-fixed fixation apparatus. The planar fixation device can have a planar surface and at least one opening having side walls defining an at least generally cylindrical shape. The laterally-fixed fixation apparatus can have an at least generally cylindrical shaped head portion having outer wall sections at least partially surrounding a central hollow area. The head portion can have an inner bottom surface. An expander hub is provided in the fixation apparatus for positioning at least partially within the central hollow area of the head portion and can be seated at least partially on the inner bottom surface of the head portion. The expander hub is rotatable to force the outer wall sections of the head portion outwardly for engaging and locking the fixation apparatus in place in the opening.

Abstract: Hemi joint replacements for the base of the first metacarpal of the CMC joint are provided which can effectively restore and reestablish functional joint mechanics while preserving the soft tissues that contribute to joint stability and function. The implants have a unique head shape with a saddle-like articular surface that is shaped somewhat similar to a conventional bicycle seat. A set of four proportionately larger and smaller implants allows a surgeon to choose the appropriately sized prosthesis for implantation in respect of the metacarpal osteotomy.

Abstract: Compression screw apparatuses, systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the compression screw includes a primary screw and a secondary screw. The primary screw includes an at least partially threaded leading portion and an at least partially threaded trailing portion. The secondary screw includes outer threads and has a central opening which is also threaded and adapted for being screwed onto and matingly engaging the trailing portion of the primary screw. Drivers can be used to rotatably control the primary screw and the secondary screw to cause compression of spaced-apart material, particularly for compression of bone fragments across a fracture line.

Abstract: A medical procedure for use in connection with a patient suffering from cuff tear arthropathy is disclosed. The medial procedure includes providing a humeral prosthesis having a prosthetic head component, wherein (i) the prosthetic head component includes a glenoid-bearing portion and an acromion-bearing portion, and (ii) the glenoid-bearing portion and the acromion-bearing portion define an outer bearing surface, and (iii) the outer bearing surface extends in a medial/lateral direction across a radial distance D, and (iii) D?190°. The medical procedure further includes implanting the humeral prosthesis in the patient so that the acromion-bearing portion contacts and bears directly against a natural acromion of the patient during abduction of an arm of the patient that possesses the humerus.

Abstract: Systems and methods for bone fixation are disclosed. A fixation system can have a planar fixation device and a laterally-fixed fixation apparatus. The planar fixation device can have a planar surface and at least one opening having side walls defining an at least generally cylindrical shape. The laterally-fixed fixation apparatus can have an at least generally cylindrical shaped head portion having outer wall sections at least partially surrounding a central hollow area. The head portion can have an inner bottom surface. An expander hub is provided in the fixation apparatus for positioning at least partially within the central hollow area of the head portion and can be seated at least partially on the inner bottom surface of the head portion. The expander hub is rotatable to force the outer wall sections of the head portion outwardly for engaging and locking the fixation apparatus in place in the opening.

Abstract: A bone resection guide, particularly for an ulna, utilizes anatomical reference points of the ulna to establish an optimal position for a prosthesis. The bone resection guide provides a guiding instrument that allows a surgeon to remove only bone that needs to be removed for precise placement of the end prosthesis. A method of resecting bone from the ulna in preparation of prosthetic implantation using the bone resection guide matches an elbow axis finder with a particular size of an ulna fossa of the patient. Once matched, a sized resection template, directly related to the shape of the prosthesis, is used as a resection guide. Incorporated into the bone resection guide are known anthropometric qualities when providing resection surfaces. This enhances the probable position of the implant.

Abstract: A distal component for a wrist prosthesis that utilizes fixation within the carpus complex, incorporates features that improve the probability of intercarpal fusion and allows modularity of articulating components. In one form, the subject invention includes an ovoid fixation plate having three holes and a boss. The three holes allow attachment of stems and/or screws distally for fixation in the carpus. The boss projects proximally from the plate, and serves as an attachment point for the articulating head. Modularity of the fixation and articulating components allow a surgeon many options for optimizing fixation distally, and articulation proximally. The proximal head of the distal component is designed to articulate with existing radial components. Since the proximal head of the distal component is modular, however, the head can be redesigned to accommodate later design changes in proximal components.

Abstract: Hemi joint replacements for the base of the first metacarpal of the CMC joint are provided which can effectively restore and reestablish functional joint mechanics while preserving the soft tissues that contribute to joint stability and function. The implants have a unique head shape with a saddle-like articular surface that is shaped somewhat similar to a conventional bicycle seat. A set of four proportionately larger and smaller implants allows a surgeon to choose the appropriately sized prosthesis for implantation in respect of the metacarpal osteotomy.

Abstract: Compression screw apparatuses, systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the compression screw includes a primary screw and a secondary screw. The primary screw includes an at least partially threaded leading portion and an at least partially threaded trailing portion. The secondary screw includes outer threads and has a central opening which is also threaded and adapted for being screwed onto and matingly engaging the trailing portion of the primary screw. Drivers can be used to rotatably control the primary screw and the secondary screw to cause compression of spaced-apart material, particularly for compression of bone fragments across a fracture line.

Abstract: A modular prosthetic assembly for use during performance of a shoulder replacement procedure on a patient includes a stem component configured to be implanted into a medullary canal of a humerus of the patient. The assembly also includes a prosthetic head component configured to be secured to a proximal end portion of the stem component. The prosthetic head component has a glenoid-bearing portion which is configured to bear against a glenoid surface of a scapula of the patient when the stem component is implanted into the medullary canal of the humerus of the patient and the prosthetic head component is secured to the stem component. The prosthetic head component also includes an acromion-bearing portion which is configured to bear against an acromion of the patient during abduction of the humerus when the stem component is implanted into the medullary canal of the humerus of the patient and the prosthetic head component is secured to the stem component.

Abstract: A distal component for a wrist prosthesis that utilizes fixation within the carpus complex, incorporates features that improve the probability of intercarpal fusion and allows modularity of articulating components. In one form, the subject invention includes an ovoid fixation plate having three holes and a boss. The three holes allow attachment of stems and/or screws distally for fixation in the carpus. The boss projects proximally from the plate, and serves as an attachment point for the articulating head. Modularity of the fixation and articulating components allow a surgeon many options for optimizing fixation distally, and articulation proximally. The proximal head of the distal component is designed to articulate with existing radial components. Since the proximal head of the distal component is modular, however, the head can be redesigned to accommodate later design changes in proximal components.

Abstract: A bone resection guide, particularly for an ulna, utilizes anatomical reference points of the ulna to establish an optimal position for a prosthesis. The bone resection guide provides a guiding instrument that allows a surgeon to remove only bone that needs to be removed for precise placement of the end prosthesis. A method of resecting bone from the ulna in preparation of prosthetic implantation using the bone resection guide matches an elbow axis finder with a particular size of an ulna fossa of the patient. Once matched, a sized resection template, directly related to the shape of the prosthesis, is used as a resection guide. Incorporated into the bone resection guide are known anthropometric qualities when providing resection surfaces. This enhances the probable position of the implant.

Abstract: A modular prosthetic assembly for use during performance of a shoulder replacement procedure on a patient includes a stem component configured to be implanted into a medullary canal of a humerus of the patient. The assembly also includes a prosthetic head component configured to be secured to a proximal end portion of the stem component. The prosthetic head component has a glenoid-bearing portion which is configured to bear against a glenoid surface of a scapula of the patient when the stem component is implanted into the medullary canal of the humerus of the patient and the prosthetic head component is secured to the stem component. The prosthetic head component also includes an acromion-bearing portion which is configured to bear against an acromion of the patient during abduction of the humerus when the stem component is implanted into the medullary canal of the humerus of the patient and the prosthetic head component is secured to the stem component.

Abstract: An anchor includes an anchor body configured to be retained within base tissue. The anchor body includes a unidirectional mechanism to selectively restrict passage of a flexible member through the anchor. The flexible member includes a loop to enable attachment of candidate tissue to base tissue without the use of knots.

Abstract: A modular prosthetic assembly for use during performance of a shoulder replacement procedure on a patient includes a stem component configured to be implanted into a medullary canal of a humerus of the patient. The assembly also includes a prosthetic head component configured to be secured to a proximal end portion of the stem component. The prosthetic head component has a glenoid-bearing portion which is configured to bear against a glenoid surface of a scapula of the patient when the stem component is implanted into the medullary canal of the humerus of the patient and the prosthetic head component is secured to the stem component. The prosthetic head component also includes an acromion-bearing portion which is configured to bear against an acromion of the patient during abduction of the humerus when the stem component is implanted into the medullary canal of the humerus of the patient and the prosthetic head component is secured to the stem component.