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: 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: 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: A pin lock may be used to prevent a compressor-distractor from pushing off of a surgical pin as the compressor-distractor is actuated to move one bone relative to another bone. In some examples, the compressor-distractor is attached to a metatarsal with a first pin and to a cuneiform with a second pin. The pin lock can be inserted onto the first pin or the second pin, optionally with a second pin lock inserted onto the other pin. The compressor-distractor can then be actuated while the compressor-distractor is locked by the pin lock from moving up along the axial length of the first pin or the second pin.

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 technique for correcting a bone deformity, such as a bunion, may be performed using an instrument that defines a spacer body connected to a fulcrum. The spacer body portion of the instrument can be inserted into a joint space between opposed bone ends. The fulcrum body can be inserted between adjacent metatarsals. An angle set between the spacer body and fulcrum body can help properly position both features within different joint spaces for ensuring that subsequent steps of the surgical procedure are properly performed and instrumentation is appropriately aligned.

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 surgical technique can involve inserting an instrument defining a sliding surface between a metatarsal and a laterally-adjacent metatarsal. The technique can include moving the metatarsal across the sliding surface of the instrument toward the cuneiform to close a space between the metatarsal and the opposed cuneiform.

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 compressor-distractor device may be used during a surgical procedure, such as a surgical procedure to correct a bunion deformity. In some examples, the compressor-distractor includes first and second engagement arms having first and second pin-receiving holes, respectively. The first and second pin-receiving holes may be angled relative to each other. The compressor-distractor may also include an actuator operatively coupled to the first and second engagement arms. In some example uses, a clinician may pin a first surgical device to a patient's bones use a pair of parallel pins. After removing the surgical device over the parallel pins, the clinician may thread the parallel pins through the angled first and second pin-receiving holes of the compressor-distractor, causing the bones to move relative to each other. Thereafter, the clinician may actuate the actuator on the compressor-distractor to move the bones towards and/or away from each other.

Abstract: A technique for correcting a bone deformity, such as a bunion, may be performed using an instrument that defines a spacer body connected to a fulcrum. The spacer body portion of the instrument can be inserted into a joint space between opposed bone ends. The fulcrum body can be inserted between adjacent metatarsals. An angle set between the spacer body and fulcrum body can help properly position both features within different joint spaces for ensuring that subsequent steps of the surgical procedure are properly performed and instrumentation is appropriately aligned.

Abstract: A compressor-distractor device may be used during a surgical procedure, such as a surgical procedure to correct a bunion deformity. In some examples, the compressor-distractor includes first and second engagement arms having first and second pin-receiving holes, respectively. The first and second pin-receiving holes may be angled relative to each other. The compressor-distractor may also include an actuator operatively coupled to the first and second engagement arms. In some example uses, a clinician may pin a first surgical device to a patient's bones use a pair of parallel pins. After removing the surgical device over the parallel pins, the clinician may thread the parallel pins through the angled first and second pin-receiving holes of the compressor-distractor, causing the bones to move relative to each other. Thereafter, the clinician may actuate the actuator on the compressor-distractor to move the bones towards and/or away from each other.

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 be used as part of a bunion correction procedure. The bone positioning guide can include a bone engagement member configured to be positioned on a medial side of a first metatarsal of a foot and a tip separated from the bone engagement member by a distance effective to position the tip on a lateral side of a second metatarsal and in an intermetatarsal space between the second metatarsal and a third metatarsal. The bone positioning guide can also include a mechanism operable to reduce the distance between the bone engagement member and the tip, thereby causing the first metatarsal to move in at least a transverse plane to reduce an intermetatarsal angle between the first metatarsal and the second metatarsal.

Abstract: A compressor-distractor device may be used during a surgical procedure, such as a surgical procedure to correct a bunion deformity. In some examples, the compressor-distractor includes first and second engagement arms having first and second pin-receiving holes, respectively. The first and second pin-receiving holes may be angled relative to each other. The compressor-distractor may also include an actuator operatively coupled to the first and second engagement arms. In some example uses, a clinician may pin a first surgical device to a patient's bones use a pair of parallel pins. After removing the surgical device over the parallel pins, the clinician may thread the parallel pins through the angled first and second pin-receiving holes of the compressor-distractor, causing the bones to move relative to each other. Thereafter, the clinician may actuate the actuator on the compressor-distractor to move the bones towards and/or away from each other.

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: Devices and techniques for adjusting an alignment for a first metatarsal may include making a plurality of cuts along the length of the first metatarsal. In different applications of the technique, a plurality of transverse cuts may or may not be made intersecting the longitudinal cuts. In either case, the cuts can separate the first metatarsal into two individual portions and release a removable wedge of bone. The different portions of the metatarsal can be moved relative to each other to adjust an anatomical alignment of one portion relative to another portion, for example in multiple planes. After suitably adjusting the alignment of the different bone portions, the portions can be fixed together.

Abstract: A technique for correcting a bone deformity, such as a bunion, may be performed using an instrument that defines a spacer body connected to a fulcrum. The spacer body portion of the instrument can be inserted into a joint space between opposed bone ends. The fulcrum body can be inserted between adjacent metatarsals. An angle set between the spacer body and fulcrum body can help properly position both features within different joint spaces for ensuring that subsequent steps of the surgical procedure are properly performed and instrumentation is appropriately aligned.

Abstract: A bone positioning guide may be used as part of a bunion correction procedure. The bone positioning guide can include a bone engagement member configured to be positioned on a medial side of a first metatarsal of a foot and a tip separated from the bone engagement member by a distance effective to position the tip on a lateral side of a second metatarsal and in an intermetatarsal space between the second metatarsal and a third metatarsal. The bone positioning guide can also include a mechanism operable to reduce the distance between the bone engagement member and the tip, thereby causing the first metatarsal to move in at least a transverse plane to reduce an intermetatarsal angle between the first metatarsal and the second metatarsal.

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.