Abstract: The method of implanting a femoral and a tibial knee prosthesis and instruments for surgically implanting the femoral and tibial prosthesis component as disclosed. The method includes the formation of a plurality of surgical cuts on the patient's distal femur. A trial tibial prosthesis is then fitted to the surgically prepared distal femur. The trial prosthesis has a femoral articulating surface and a non-articulating surface that fits the patient's distal femur at the surgical cuts. A surgeon then forms a transverse cut on the patient's proximal tibia. The surgeon places a tibial trial prosthesis on the patient's proximal tibia, the trial prosthesis including a tibial trial stem that fits the patient's intramedullary canal, a tibial trial metallic tray or plate, and a plastic trial insert that fits the tibial tray or plate. The plastic insert includes a tibial articulating surface that can articulate with the femoral articulating surface.

Abstract: A distal femoral cutting block apparatus for use in knee surgery includes an instrument body that has generally flat opposing parallel surfaces and a plurality flat peripheral surfaces to form a generally rectangular body. The body provides anterior and posterior surfaces and medial and lateral surfaces. The transverse slot carries a valgus module that is movably disposed in the slot. The valgus module includes a tubular sleeve member having a pair of opposed sides that abut the body at the slot. A portion of the tubular sleeve member is threaded and the threaded portion extends away from the body. An open ended bore extends through the tubular member. The open ended bore of the tubular sleeve member of the module accommodates an intramedullary rod that fits the patient s intramedullary canal. A lock nut engages the threaded section of the module for locking the module in a desired position on the cutting block body by engaging the threaded portion and the instrument body to rigidly affix them together.

Abstract: A method of preparing a patient's proximal tibia with a surgical saw and cutting instrumentation is disclosed. The method of the present invention prepares the patient's proximal tibial to receive a tibial implant. The patient's intramedullary canal is first reamed and then an intramedullary rod is placed in the intramedullary canal as a reference. A first cutting instrument is bound on the rod above the patient's proximal tibia. The first cutting instrument includes a stylus that is used to set the depth of cut by referencing the top of the proximal tibia. The proximal tibia is then transversely cut with the saw by tracking the first cutting guide surfaces with the saw. The first cutting instrument is removed together with its stylus. A secondary cutting instrument is then placed on the rod above the proximal tibia. The second cutting instrument has a cutter at its center for cutting longitudinally into the proximal tibia.

Abstract: A method of preparing a patient's proximal tibia with a surgical saw and cutting instrumentation is disclosed. The method of the present invention prepares the patient's proximal tibial to receive a tibial implant. The patient's intramedullary canal is first reamed and then an intramedullary rod is placed in the intramedullary canal as a reference. A first cutting instrument is bound on the rod above the patient's proximal tibia. The first cutting instrument includes a stylus that is used to set the depth of cut by referencing the top of the proximal tibia. The proximal tibia is then transversely cut with the saw by tracking the first cutting guide surfaces with the saw. The first cutting instrument is removed together with its stylus. A secondary cutting instrument is then placed on the rod above the proximal tibia. The second cutting instrument has a cutter at its center for cutting longitudinally into the proximal tibia.

Abstract: The method of implanting a femoral and a tibial knee prosthesis and instruments for surgically implanting the femoral and tibial prosthesis component as disclosed. The method includes the formation of a plurality of surgical cuts on the patient's distal femur. A trial tibial prosthesis is then fitted to the surgically prepared distal femur. The trial prosthesis has a femoral articulating surface and a non-articulating surface that fits the patient's distal femur at the surgical cuts. A surgeon then forms a transverse cut on the patient's proximal tibia. The surgeon places a tibial trial prosthesis on the patient's proximal tibia, the trial prosthesis including a tibial trial stem that fits the patient's intramedullary canal, a tibial trial metallic tray or plate, and a plastic trial insert that fits the tibial tray or plate. The plastic insert includes a tibial articulating surface that can articulate with the femoral articulating surface.

Abstract: A method of preparing a patient's proximal tibia with a surgical saw and cutting instrumentation is disclosed. The method of the present invention prepares the patient's proximal tibial to receive a tibial implant. The patient's intramedullary canal is first reamed and then an intramedullary rod is placed in the intramedullary canal as a reference. A first cutting instrument is bound on the rod above the patient's proximal tibia. The first cutting instrument includes a stylus that is used to set the depth of cut by referencing the top of the proximal tibia. The proximal tibia is then transversely cut with the saw by tracking the first cutting guide surfaces with the saw. The first cutting instrument is removed together with its stylus. A secondary cutting instrument is then placed on the rod above the proximal tibia. The second cutting instrument has a cutter at its center for cutting longitudinally into the proximal tibia.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided a trial implant and method of using same. The implant includes a modular bracket defining a structure having an internal surface adapted to be seated on the distal aspect of a resected femur bone and an external surface with a shape resembling the normal distal condyle of the femur. The bracket has an opening appointed to expose a portion of the resected bone of the femur, including guide structure for guiding a tool along a predetermined path for controlled shaping of a patellar groove in the bone exposed through the opening. Removal of any portion of the bracket or guide structure is unnecessary following the shaping steps prior to performing a trial reduction.

Abstract: A single surgical instrument to both pass a wire under a bone and twist the ends of the wire together is comprised of a hooked member mounted to a handle assembly. The hooked member has a notch to feed a wire as the hooked member is pulled about the bone. The handle assembly incorporates a crank comprised of two handles rotatably mounted to a grip to thereafter quickly and tightly twist the wires about the bone with the same instrument.

Abstract: Instrumentation for positioning a cut guide to cut a posterior slope in the tibial plateau surface of a tibia. The instrumentation includes an intramedullary alignment guide for engaging the tibia, and a rotational alignment guide for providing a guide for the insertion of a rod portion of the intramedullary alignment guide into an intramedullary bore in the tibia with the intramedullary alignment guide rotationally aligned with the intramedullary bore so that the longitudinal axis of a handle portion of the intramedullary alignment guide is angled posteriorly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rod portion and the longitudinal axis of the intramedullary bore as the rod portion of the intramedullary alignment guide is inserted into the intramedullary bore.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided a trial implant and method of using same. The implant comprises a modular bracket defining a structure having an internal surface adapted to be seated on the distal aspect of a resected femur bone and an external surface with a shape resembling the normal distal condyle of the femur. The bracket has a elongated central opening appointed to expose the resected bone of the femur, including a pair of tracks for guiding a tool along a predetermined path for controlled shaping of a patellar groove in the bone exposed through the opening. An end mill guide cooperates with the bracket to receive another tool to form a deep recess for accommodating a posterior-stabilizing housing. After the patellar track is formed, the external surface of the bracket articulates with a proximal aspect of the tibia during interoperative trial reduction of the knee joint.

Abstract: A modular hip prosthesis operable to engage the cortical material in a host femur having a metaphysis and an intramedullary canal. The modular hip prosthesis includes a modular metaphyseal segment which is able to be inserted into the metaphysis of the host femur. The modular metaphyseal segment includes an axial cone portion and a cervical cone portion. The modular hip prosthesis further includes a modular diaphyseal segment which is able to be inserted into the intramedullary canal and being removably secured to the modular metaphyseal segment. Finally, the modular hip prosthesis includes a modular head which is able to engage the modular metaphyseal segment and is detached from the modular diaphyseal segment.Also disclosed is surgical instrumentation for use in implanting a medical device. The surgical instrumentation includes a template having a plurality of scaled markings disposed thereon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cutting guide for ostectomy of the medial and lateral tibial surface during knee surgery. The cutting guide comprises a guide block including an axial opening defined along the longitudinal axis of the tibial canal. The guide block being adapted for attachment to a tibial trial base including alignment holes for locating the proper degree of rotational alignment of the tibial trial base with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tibia to assure the proper varus-valgus orientation and anterior-posterior slope of the resected tibial surface with respect to the femur. A pair of blade slots are provided for guiding a cutting tool for making a wedge-shaped resection of the tibia to accommodate a tibial tray component having a preselected internal distal surface corresponding to that of the resected tibia.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cutting guide for ostectomy of the medial and lateral tibial surface during knee surgery. The cutting guide comprises a guide block including an axial opening defined along the longitudinal axis of the tibial canal. The guide block being adapted for attachment to a tibial trial base including alignment holes for locating the proper degree of rotational alignment of the tibial trial base with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tibia to assure the proper varus-valgus orientation and anterior-posterior slope of the resected tibial surface with respect to the femur. A pair of blade slots are provided for guiding a cutting tool for making a wedge-shaped resection of the tibia to accommodate a tibial tray component having a preselected internal distal surface corresponding to that of the resected tibia.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided a trial implant comprising a modular bracket defining a structure having an internal surface adapted to be seated on the distal aspect of a resected femur bone and an external surface with a shape resembling the normal distal condyle of the femur. The bracket has an elongated central opening appointed to expose the resected bone of the femur, including a pair of tracks for guiding a tool along a predetermined path for controlled shaping of a patellar groove in the bone exposed through the opening. An end mill guide cooperates with the bracket to receive another tool to form a deep recess for accommodating a posterior-stabilizing housing. After the recess is formed, the guide is replaced with an insert having a posterior-stabilizing housing which covers the opening of the bracket and articulates with a proximal aspect of the tibia during interoperative trial reduction of the knee joint.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided a trial implant comprising a modular bracket defining a structure having an internal surface adapted to be seated on the distal aspect of a resected femur bone and an external surface with a shape resembling the normal distal condyle of the femur. The bracket has an elongated central opening appointed to expose the resected bone of the femur, including a pair of tracks for guiding a tool along a predetermined path for controlled shaping of a patellar groove in the bone exposed through the opening. A replaceable insert covers the opening and articulates with a proximal aspect of the tibia during interoperative trial reduction of the knee joint, whereby prior removal of the bracket from the resected bone is unnecessary following shaping of the patellar groove. Preferably, the insert and guide tracks cooperate together to securely position the insert within the opening during trial reduction. A surgical method is also provided using the described trial implant guide.

Abstract: Modular surgical instrumentation and a method of using same is provided, according to the invention. The instrumentation comprises a first bracket defining a generally U-shaped structure having an internal surface adapted to be seated on the distal aspect of a resected femur bone and an elongated central opening appointed to expose a selected area of the resected femur, including a curved track for guiding a first shaping tool along a predetermined path for controlled shaping of a curved patellar groove in a portion of the selected area exposed through the opening. A second bracket defines a linear slotted bore extending generally parallel to the long axis of the femur for guiding a second shaping tool to form a relatively deep recess accommodating an intercondylar stabilizing housing of a knee implant.

Abstract: A composite metal/plastic patellar prosthesis for implantation in the human body to replace the articulating surface of the patella is provided. The prosthesis includes a polymeric articulating surface portion and a metal backing having an anterior surface adapted to be attached to the posterior surface of a resected patella, and a dome or conically shaped posterior surface to which the polymeric articulating surface portion is heat and pressure molded. The metal backing portion has at least one aperture extending therethrough which has a greater cross-sectional area on the anterior side than on the posterior side into which an anchoring peg integral with the antrior surface of the polymeric articulating surface portion is molded. The metal and plastic components of the composite are coextensive in size and shape.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shaping guide to permit accurate shaping of the tibial plateau while saving the anterior cruciate ligament. An alignment rod is located anterior to the anterior cruciate ligament and along the anterior cortex of the intermedullary canal of the tibia provides points of reference for all shaping operations. The shaping guide of the present invention is adjustable with respect to the handle portion of the rod so that the amount of resection of the tibial plateau can be controlled readily by the surgeon by raising or lowering of the cutting guide surfaces for resection of the tibia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a distal femoral surface shaping guide for mounting on an intramedullary alignment which references the central long axis of the femur in shaping the distal femoral surface and a method for shaping the distal femur using that shaping guide with particular applicability for shaping one condyle for attachment of a unicondylar prosthesis. The alignment guide of the present invention is adjustable relative to the surface of the condyle to insure that the distal femoral condyle is resected relative to that surface. The alignment guide of the present invention utilizes visual sighting studs and provides a main body which remains attached to the intramedullary alignment guide throughout the entire shaping of the distal femur.

Abstract: A prosthetic shim and a method for use of prosthetic shims to provide level support and increase the effective thickness of a femoral knee joint component having at least one fixation peg extending from the face which is to seat against the distal end of a femur. The shim is for placement between the femoral component and the femur and comprises a platform having a first surface to cooperatively engage the joint component face and a second surface to engage the distal end of the femur. The shim preferably has a means for securing the shim in place, such as spikes extending from the second surface to be driven into the femur. The platform preferably is shaped and dimensioned to be effective if placed centrally relative to the joint component face, covers a majority of the joint component face, and has an opening corresponding to each peg of the joint component so that the shim can be placed over each peg.