Abstract: An osteotomy plate for maintaining the spacing of a wedge-like opening in bone, the osteotomy plate comprising: a body having a front side and a back side; a key extending out of the back side of the body for disposition in a keyhole formed in the bone along the wedge-like opening; and a plurality of mounting holes for receiving fixation screws therein, the mounting holes being formed in the body such that when the key is disposed in the keyhole, the mounting holes direct the fixation screws into bone on either side of the wedge-like opening.

Abstract: An osteotomy plate for maintaining the spacing of a wedge-like opening in bone, the osteotomy plate comprising: a body having a front side and a back side; a key extending out of the back side of the body for disposition in a keyhole formed in the bone along the wedge-like opening; and a plurality of mounting holes for receiving fixation screws therein, the mounting holes being formed in the body such that when the key is disposed in the keyhole, the mounting holes direct the fixation screws into bone on either side of the wedge-like opening.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing an open wedge, high tibial osteotomy, the apparatus comprising: a wedge-shaped implant for disposition in a wedge-shaped opening created in the tibia, wherein the wedge-shaped implant comprises a hole extending therethrough; a fixation screw for extending through the hole and securing the wedge-shaped implant to the tibia; and a locking mechanism for releasably locking the fixation screw to the wedge-shaped implant. The fixation screw comprises: a shaft having a distal threaded portion and a proximal threaded portion, wherein the distal threaded portion and the proximal threaded portion are characterized by different thread pitches.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing an open wedge, low femoral osteotomy, the apparatus comprising an osteotomy guide, a hinge pin and an osteotomy implant, the osteotomy guide comprising: anterior and posterior tissue shields having (i) openings for receiving the hinge pin and defining the hinge pin axis, and (ii) profiles configured to enable fluoroscopic alignment of the hinge pin axis parallel to the sagittal plane of the patient, a cutting guide comprising a cutting slot for defining a cutting plane extending parallel to, and through, the hinge pin axis, and a drill guide comprising a hole for forming a guide hole in the femur which extends substantially perpendicular to the cutting plane, the hinge pin comprising an elongated body, and the osteotomy implant for positioning in a wedge-shaped opening formed about the cutting plane and for receiving a screw extending through the guide hole.

Abstract: A method for performing a high tibial, dome osteotomy to adjust the lateral and/or angular disposition of the tibial plateau relative to the lower portion of the tibia, the method comprising: forming an arcuate osteotomy cut in the tibia to subdivide it into upper and lower portions; manipulating the upper and lower portions to adjust their lateral and/or angular dispositions relative to one another; forming a pair of keyholes along the osteotomy cut; forming a keyhole slot to connect the two keyholes; forming a fixation hole in the tibia for each keyhole; providing an implant comprising a pair of keys connected by a bridge, each key comprising a bore for receiving a fixation screw therein; inserting the implant so that the keys are disposed in the keyholes, and so that the bores of the keys are aligned with the fixation holes; and inserting fixation screws through the bores of the keys and into the fixation holes of the keyholes so as to stabilize the upper and lower portions of the tibia.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing an open wedge, high tibial osteotomy, the apparatus comprising a two-piece bearing implant comprising an upper bearing member and a lower bearing member, wherein the upper bearing member comprises a screw hole for securing the upper bearing member to an upper portion of bone, and the lower bearing member comprises a screw hole for securing the lower bearing member to a lower portion of bone, and further wherein the upper bearing member comprises an upper dovetail track and the lower bearing member comprises a lower dovetail track; and a wedge comprising an upper dovetail rail which is complementary to the upper dovetail track and a lower dovetail rail which is complementary to the lower dovetail track, in order that the wedge can be introduced between the upper and lower bearing members, so as to open a wedge-like opening between the upper and lower bearing members.

Abstract: An osteotomy plate for maintaining the spacing of a wedge-like opening in bone, the osteotomy plate comprising: a body having a front side and a back side; a key extending out of the back side of the body for disposition in a keyhole formed in the bone along the wedge-like opening; and a plurality of mounting holes for receiving fixation screws therein, the mounting holes being formed in the body such that when the key is disposed in the keyhole, the mounting holes direct the fixation screws into bone on either side of the wedge-like opening.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing an open wedge, low femoral osteotomy, the apparatus comprising an osteotomy guide, a hinge pin and an osteotomy implant, the osteotomy guide comprising: anterior and posterior tissue shields having (i) openings for receiving the hinge pin and defining the hinge pin axis, and (ii) profiles configured to enable fluoroscopic alignment of the hinge pin axis parallel to the sagittal plane of the patient, a cutting guide comprising a cutting slot for defining a cutting plane extending parallel to, and through, the hinge pin axis, and a drill guide comprising a hole for forming a guide hole in the femur which extends substantially perpendicular to the cutting plane, the hinge pin comprising an elongated body, and the osteotomy implant for positioning in a wedge-shaped opening formed about the cutting plane and for receiving a screw extending through the guide hole.

Abstract: A method for performing a high tibial, dome osteotomy to adjust the lateral and/or angular disposition of the tibial plateau relative to the lower portion of the tibia, the method comprising: forming an arcuate osteotomy cut in the tibia to subdivide it into upper and lower portions; manipulating the upper and lower portions to adjust their lateral and/or angular dispositions relative to one another; forming a pair of keyholes along the osteotomy cut; forming a keyhole slot to connect the two keyholes; forming a fixation hole in the tibia for each keyhole; providing an implant comprising a pair of keys connected by a bridge, each key comprising a bore for receiving a fixation screw therein; inserting the implant so that the keys are disposed in the keyholes, and so that the bores of the keys are aligned with the fixation holes; and inserting fixation screws through the bores of the keys and into the fixation holes of the keyholes so as to stabilize the upper and lower portions of the tibia.

Abstract: A keyhole drill guide stabilizer for stabilizing a drill guide when forming a second keyhole after the formation of a first keyhole, wherein the drill guide comprises a first drill bore and a second drill bore, the keyhole drill guide stabilizer comprising a body sized and shaped so as to make a close sliding fit with (i) the first bore of the drill guide, and (ii) the first keyhole, whereby to reduce the possibility of any positional variation between the first and second drilled keyholes.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing an open wedge, high tibial osteotomy, the apparatus comprising: a wedge-shaped implant for disposition in a wedge-shaped opening created in the tibia, wherein the wedge-shaped implant comprises a hole extending therethrough; a fixation screw for extending through the hole and securing the wedge-shaped implant to the tibia; and a locking mechanism for releasably locking the fixation screw to the wedge-shaped implant. Apparatus for performing an open wedge, high tibial osteotomy, the apparatus comprising: a fixation screw for securing an implant to the tibia, the fixation screw comprising: a shaft having a distal threaded portion and a proximal threaded portion, wherein the distal threaded portion and the proximal threaded portion are characterized by different thread pitches.