Abstract: A method for syndesmosis fixation including at least one suture anchor configured to be implanted into bone and at least one suture assembly configured to extend from the suture anchor and about at least a portion of a fibula when the suture anchor is implanted in a tibia on either side of a fibular notch of the tibia. The suture assembly is selectively adjustable from a non-tensioned condition to a tensioned condition to stabilize and reduce the fibula relative to the tibia.

Abstract: A method for syndesmosis fixation including at least one suture anchor configured to be implanted into bone and at least one suture assembly configured to extend from the suture anchor and about at least a portion of a fibula when the suture anchor is implanted in a tibia on either side of a fibular notch of the tibia. The suture assembly is selectively adjustable from a non-tensioned condition to a tensioned condition to stabilize and reduce the fibula relative to the tibia.

Abstract: A device for treating fractures, comprises an intramedullary member sized and shaped for insertion along a longitudinal axis of a bone within a medullary canal thereof, the intramedullary member including an opening extending obliquely therethrough, the opening, when the intramedullary member is in a desired position within a bone, aligning with a desired axis along which an implant is to be inserted into a bone, the intramedullary member including a channel formed therewithin and opening to the opening and a locking mechanism mounted in the channel, the locking mechanism including a locking abutting structure extending into the opening in combination with an implant sized to be slidably received through the opening and inserted along the desired axis, the implant including a plurality of implant abutting structures aligned to engage the locking abutting structure preventing medial movement of the implant relative to the intramedullary member.

Abstract: A locking tack for attaching a bone fixation device to a bone includes (a) an elongated body including a distal portion formed of a weldable material and sized to be received within a bore through a portion of a target bone and a proximal portion which, when the distal portion is in a desired position within a target bone, extends out of the bone; (b) a channel extending longitudinally through the elongated body from a proximal end thereof to a channel distal end within the distal portion of the elongated body; and (c) an engaging feature at a distal end of the channel configured to engage an extraction mechanism so that forces applied to the extraction mechanism are transmitted to the distal end of the elongated body.

Abstract: A plate for treating calcaneal fractures comprises a first portion extending along a first longitudinal axis from a first end to a second end and including a plurality of first openings extending therethrough extending along a second longitudinal axis from the a first end connected to the second end of the first portion to a second end, the first and second portions being angled relative to one another such that, when the plate is positioned along a desired portion of a calcaneus bone, the first and second portions extend parallel to a superior surface of the bone bordering a subtalar joint, the second portion including a plurality of second openings extending therethrough, wherein each of the first and second openings are configured to receive a bone fixation element therein at a user-selected angle relative to a central axis thereof.

Abstract: A medial column bone plate, comprises a first portion which, when the plate is positioned along a medial column of a foot in a desired position, extends along a navicular, the first portion including at least two first variable angle holes extending therethrough, each of the first variable angle holes configured to receive a bone fixation element therethrough at a user-selected angle relative to a central axis thereof and a second portion extending distally from the first portion so that when the plate is in the desired position, the second portion extends along a medial cuneiform, the second portion including at least one second variable angle hole configured to receive a bone fixation element therein at a user-selected angle relative to a central axis thereof and a first compression slot extending therethrough in combination with a third portion extending distally from the second portion so that the third portion extends along a first metatarsal of the medial column in the desired position, the third portio

Abstract: A medial column bone plate, comprises a first portion which, when the plate is positioned along a medial column of a foot in a desired position, extends along a navicular, the first portion including at least two first variable angle holes extending therethrough, each of the first variable angle holes configured to receive a bone fixation element therethrough at a user-selected angle relative to a central axis thereof and a second portion extending distally from the first portion so that when the plate is in the desired position, the second portion extends along a medial cuneiform, the second portion including at least one second variable angle hole configured to receive a bone fixation element therein at a user-selected angle relative to a central axis thereof and a first compression slot extending therethrough in combination with a third portion extending distally from the second portion so that the third portion extends along a first metatarsal of the medial column in the desired position, the third portio

Abstract: A plate for treating calcaneal fractures comprises a first portion extending along a first longitudinal axis from a first end to a second end and including a plurality of first openings extending therethrough extending along a second longitudinal axis from the a first end connected to the second end of the first portion to a second end, the first and second portions being angled relative to one another such that, when the plate is positioned along a desired portion of a calcaneus bone, the first and second portions extend parallel to a superior surface of the bone bordering a subtalar joint, the second portion including a plurality of second openings extending therethrough, wherein each of the first and second openings are configured to receive a bone fixation element therein at a user-selected angle relative to a central axis thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to devices, systems and methods for the internal fixation of bone fractures, and particularly, to intramedullary fracture fixation devices such as those used in, for example, the treatment of long bone fractures. An IM rod preferably is provided with multiple curved sections in different planes preferably designed to conform with the long bones of a patient, both during insertion and in the rod's final position in the long bone. In addition, the overlap of portions of the curved sections results in a co-planar curvature of portions of the IM rod which assist in the insertion process by guiding the proper rotation of the IM rod as it is inserted into the bone. Spiraling flutes extending down the distal portion of the rod also assist in properly guiding and orienting the rod about its longitudinal axis during insertion such that the appropriate segment of the curved rod conforms with the appropriate portion of the long bone at the appropriate place.

Abstract: An orthopaedic implant insertion instrument including an insertion handle and a radiolucent aiming guide and method of using same. The insertion handle may be formed of steel and is used for inserting an orthopaedic implant, such as an intramedullary nail or bone plate, into a patient. The radiolucent aiming guide is used to properly locate and guide a drill and/or other insertion instruments for installing fixation elements, such as screws, pins, nails, bolts, blades, etc., through the orthopaedic implant and into the affected bone to secure the implant in position and facilitate healing. The aiming guide is substantially hollow and tubular and is preferably formed of a carbon fiber material.

Abstract: A device for treating fractures, comprises an intramedullary member sized and shaped for insertion along a longitudinal axis of a bone within a medullary canal thereof, the intramedullary member including an opening extending obliquely therethrough, the opening, when the intramedullary member is in a desired position within a bone, aligning with a desired axis along which an implant is to be inserted into a bone, the intramedullary member including a channel formed therewithin and opening to the opening and a locking mechanism mounted in the channel, the locking mechanism including a locking abutting structure extending into the opening in combination with an implant sized to be slidably received through the opening and inserted along the desired axis, the implant including a plurality of implant abutting structures aligned to engage the locking abutting structure preventing medial movement of the implant relative to the intramedullary member.

Abstract: A device for treating fractures, comprises an intramedullary member sized and shaped for insertion along a longitudinal axis of a bone within a medullary canal thereof, the intramedullary member including an opening extending obliquely therethrough, the opening, when the intramedullary member is in a desired position within a bone, aligning with a desired axis along which an implant is to be inserted into a bone, the intramedullary member including a channel formed therewithin and opening to the opening and a locking mechanism mounted in the channel, the locking mechanism including a locking abutting structure extending into the opening in combination with an implant sized to be slidably received through the opening and inserted along the desired axis, the implant including a plurality of implant abutting structures aligned to engage the locking abutting structure preventing medial movement of the implant relative to the intramedullary member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus including at least one suture anchor configured to be implanted into bone and at least one suture assembly configured to extend from the suture anchor and about at least a portion of a fibula when the suture anchor is implanted in a tibia on either side of a fibular notch of the tibia. The suture assembly is selectively adjustable from a non-tensioned condition to a tensioned condition to stabilize and reduce the fibula relative to the tibia.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to devices, systems and methods for the internal fixation of bone fractures, and particularly, to intramedullary fracture fixation devices such as those used in, for example, the treatment of long bone fractures. An IM rod preferably is provided with multiple curved sections in different planes preferably designed to conform with the long bones of a patient, both during insertion and in the rod's final position in the long bone. In addition, the overlap of portions of the curved sections results in a co-planar curvature of portions of the IM rod which assist in the insertion process by guiding the proper rotation of the IM rod as it is inserted into the bone. Spiraling flutes extending down the distal portion of the rod also assist in properly guiding and orienting the rod about its longitudinal axis during insertion such that the appropriate segment of the curved rod conforms with the appropriate portion of the long bone at the appropriate place.

Abstract: An intramedullary rod for use in the treatment of long bone fractures includes an elongated rod extending along a longitudinal axis and including a head and a stem, at least a first transverse hole extending through the rod and a plurality of external spiral flutes located along at least a portion of the stem, wherein the elongated rod includes at least two bends along the longitudinal axis in a first plane and at least one bend along the longitudinal axis in a second plane.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail includes a longitudinal core extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal portion of the nail to a distal portion thereof, the core including a plurality of interlocking features around a circumference thereof and a polymeric casing extending about at least a portion of the circumference of the core including the interlocking features to mechanically interlock the casing and the core, at least a portion of a length of the core being embedded within the casing offset from a longitudinal axis of the nail so that a thickness of casing varies about a circumference of the nail, a maximum thickness of the casing being located at a site at which a polymeric locking element is to be bonded to the nail.

Abstract: A locking tack for attaching a bone fixation device to a bone includes (a) an elongated body including a distal portion formed of a weldable material and sized to be received within a bore through a portion of a target bone and a proximal portion which, when the distal portion is in a desired position within a target bone, extends out of the bone; (b) a channel extending longitudinally through the elongated body from a proximal end thereof to a channel distal end within the distal portion of the elongated body; and (c) an engaging feature at a distal end of the channel configured to engage an extraction mechanism so that forces applied to the extraction mechanism are transmitted to the distal end of the elongated body.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to devices, systems and methods for the internal fixation of bone fractures, and particularly, to intramedullary fracture fixation devices such as those used in, for example, the treatment of long bone fractures. An IM rod preferably is provided with multiple curved sections in different planes preferably designed to conform with the long bones of a patient, both during insertion and in the rod's final position in the long bone. In addition, the overlap of portions of the curved sections results in a co-planar curvature of portions of the IM rod which assist in the insertion process by guiding the proper rotation of the IM rod as it is inserted into the bone. Spiraling flutes extending down the distal portion of the rod also assist in properly guiding and orienting the rod about its longitudinal axis during insertion such that the appropriate segment of the curved rod conforms with the appropriate portion of the long bone at the appropriate place.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to devices, systems and methods for the internal fixation of bone fractures, and particularly, to intramedullary fracture fixation devices such as those used in, for example, the treatment of long bone fractures. An IM rod preferably is provided with multiple curved sections in different planes preferably designed to conform with the long bones of a patient, both during insertion and in the rod's final position in the long bone. In addition, the overlap of portions of the curved sections results in a co-planar curvature of portions of the IM rod which assist in the insertion process by guiding the proper rotation of the IM rod as it is inserted into the bone. Spiraling flutes extending down the distal portion of the rod also assist in properly guiding and orienting the rod about its longitudinal axis during insertion such that the appropriate segment of the curved rod conforms with the appropriate portion of the long bone at the appropriate place.

Abstract: A device for treating bone comprises a rigid body including a polymeric material extending over at least a target portion thereof. The device further comprises a locking element extending into the bone and attached to the device by forming a permanent bond therebetween by melting a portion of an outer surface of the locking element and the polymeric material.