Abstract: A posterior retractor is provided, including a handle section; and, a retraction section having an anchoring element. The handle section has a proximal region, a mid-region, and a distal region. And, the length of the handle section can be sufficient to position a hand-held portion of the proximal region of the handle section outside of a surgical site during use of the posterior retractor in a hip arthroplasty procedure. A use of the posterior retractor in a hip arthroplasty procedure is described.

Abstract: The teachings provided herein are generally directed to a posterior retractor comprising a handle section; and, a retraction section having an anchoring element. In most embodiments, the handle section comprises a proximal region, a mid-region, and a distal region. And, the length of the handle section can be sufficient to position a hand-held portion of the proximal region of the handle section outside of a surgical site during use of the posterior retractor in a hip arthroplasty procedure. The teachings include the use of the posterior retractor in a hip arthroplasty procedure.

Abstract: A method for improved rotational alignment of the bones in joint surgery is described. The method involves the tracking of the relative motion of a third bone in with respect to the movement of the first and second bone. In one aspect of the invention, the motion of the patella is used to derive the axis of rotation of the femoral and tibial components in total knee arthroplasty, either alone or in combination with other techniques.