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: Systems, techniques, and devices are described that may be used in a minimally invasive bone realignment procedure. In some examples, a method of performing a minimally invasive metatarsal correction procedure involves using a bone preparation guide having a guide surface with a length less than a diameter of a bone to be cut using the guide surface. The clinician can guide a bone preparation instrument along the guide surface and angle the bone preparation instrument beyond one or both ends of the guide surface to cut the end of the underlying bone beyond one or both of the ends.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant system can be used to fixate two bones (e.g., to portions of a single bone) relative to each other during a surgical procedure. In some configurations, the implant system includes a staple having at least two legs separated by a bridge. The staple can include at least two couplings on either side of the bridge accessible through a top surface of the staple connectable to two corresponding coupling shafts. The coupling shafts can attach through the top surface of the staple without extending below an underside of the staple. The coupling shafts can be used to bias the at least two legs of the staple away from each other for insertion into holes formed into two bones. By attaching the coupling shafts through the top of the staple, the staple can be inserted flush with the two bones before releasing the shafts.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant system can be used to fixate two bones (e.g., to portions of a single bone) relative to each other during a surgical procedure. In some configurations, the implant system includes a staple having at least two legs separated by a bridge. The staple can include at least two couplings on either side of the bridge accessible through a top surface of the staple connectable to two corresponding coupling shafts. The coupling shafts can attach through the top surface of the staple without extending below an underside of the staple. The coupling shafts can be used to bias the at least two legs of the staple away from each other for insertion into holes formed into two bones. By attaching the coupling shafts through the top of the staple, the staple can be inserted flush with the two bones before releasing the shafts.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant system can be used to fixate two vertebral bones relative to each other during a surgical procedure. In some configurations, the implant system includes a staple having at least two legs separated by a bridge. The staple can include at least two couplings on either side of the bridge accessible through a top surface of the staple connectable to two corresponding coupling shafts. The coupling shafts can attach through the top surface of the staple without extending below an underside of the staple. The coupling shafts can be used to bias the at least two legs of the staple away from each other for insertion into holes formed into two bones. By attaching the coupling shafts through the top of the staple, the staple can be inserted flush with the two bones before releasing the shafts.

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 cutting guide may include a support that contains a shaft movable relative to the support. The shaft may carry a guide member having one or more cut guides through which a clinician inserts a cutting member to cut bone positioned under the guide cut guides. In operation, a clinician may fixate the support of the bone cutting guide to a bone and translate the guide member until the one or more cut guides are positioned at a desired cut location. The clinician may then perform a cut through the cut guide. In some examples, the bone cutting guide includes additional components, such as bridging member or secondary cut guide, to provide additional functionality.

Abstract: In some examples, a method for preparing one or more bones involves inserting a spacer into a space defined between a first bone and a second bone, such as a joint space between a first metatarsal and medial cuneiform. A bone preparation guide can be aligned with opposed ends of the first bone and the second bone using the spacer as an alignment reference. For example, the bone preparation guide may include an opening such that the guide can be installed across the joint space with the spacer received in the opening. A clinician may use the bone preparation guide to guide a tissue removing instrument to cut or otherwise prepare the ends of the first bone portion and second bone portion.

Abstract: A method of correcting an alignment between bones of a foot may involve positioning a first cutting slot of a bone cutting guide over a first metatarsal and inserting a first fixation pin through a first fixation aperture of the bone cutting guide and into the first metatarsal. The method may also involve inserting a cutting member through the first cutting slot to remove a portion of the first metatarsal and adjusting an alignment of the first metatarsal relative to a first cuneiform. In some examples, the method further includes positioning a second cutting slot of the bone cutting guide over the first cuneiform and inserting a second fixation pin through a second fixation aperture of bone cutting guide into the first cuneiform. The method can involve inserting a cutting member through the second cutting slot to remove a portion of the first cuneiform and causing the first metatarsal to fuse to the first cuneiform in the moved position.

Abstract: A technique for correcting a bone deformity, such as a bunion, may be performed using an instrument. The technique may include preparing an end of a first metatarsal and preparing an end of a medial cuneiform opposing the end of the first metatarsal. The technique may also include moving the first metatarsal relative to the medial cuneiform. The technique can involve inserting the instrument between a first metatarsal and a second metatarsal.

Abstract: A method of preparing a tarsometatarsal joint can include imaging a tarsometatarsal joint of a patient between a metatarsal and a cuneiform to determine a size and/or angle of a wedge-shaped bone portion to be cut at the tarsometatarsal joint. The method can include obtaining a bone preparation guide that includes a first guide surface positionable over the metatarsal and a second guide surface positionable over the cuneiform, where an angle of the first guide surface relative to the second guide surface is selected corresponding to the size and/or angle of the wedge-shaped bone portion to be cut as determined via imaging of the tarsometatarsal joint. The method can include positioning the guide surfaces over the metatarsal and cuneiform and guiding a tissue removing instrument with the guide surfaces to cut an end of the metatarsal and to cut an end of the cuneiform.

Abstract: An orthopedic cutting instrument can be used to cut and release soft tissue to mobilize a bone for subsequent realignment of the bone. In some examples, the cutting instrument is configured with a handle and a cutting head. The cutting head has multiple cutting surfaces, such as a lead cutting surface and side cutting surfaces extending angularly away from the lead cutting surface. A mirror set of cutting surfaces may be provided on the opposite side of the cutting head. The cutting surfaces may be arranged to allow controlling cutting of soft tissue while limiting inadvertent deep penetration of the cutting instrument. In addition, the cutting surfaces may be arranged to allow back-and-forth cutting movement of the cutting head, which can be useful when working in a tight joint space.

Abstract: A bone plate can be used to fixate one or more bones. In some examples, a bone plate has first, second, third, and fourth fixation holes. The first and second fixation holes may be located in a distal body region of the bone plate and co-linear with a bridge central longitudinal axis. The third and fourth fixation holes may be located in a proximal body region of the bone plate, with the third fixation hole co-linear with the bridge central longitudinal axis and the fourth fixation hole offset from the bridge central longitudinal axis in a first plane by a first angle and in a second plane by a second angle.

Abstract: Instruments and techniques can be used to release a first metatarsal for realignment. In some implementations, a techniques involves surgically accessing a sesamoidal ligament in a foot of a patient and advancing a guiding projection of a cutting instrument under the sesamoidal ligament. This can capture the sesamoidal ligament between the guiding projection of the cutting instrument and a cutting surface of the cutting instrument that is recessed relative to a distal end of the guiding projection. The techniques further involves cutting the sesamoidal ligament with the cutting surface of the cutting instrument.

Abstract: A variety of surgical procedures may be performed on the bones of the foot, such as on one or more lesser metatarsals of the foot positioned laterally of the first metatarsal. For example, a surgical procedure may involve cutting an end of one or both of a second metatarsal and an intermediate cuneiform and/or cutting an end of one or both of a third metatarsal and a lateral cuneiform. The tarsometatarsal joints defined be one or both sets of bones may be cut to treat an arthritic joint, metatarsus adductus, and/or other clinical condition. In any case, various surgical instruments can be utilized during a procedure to help increase the accuracy and repeatability of the procedure patient-to-patient, improving overall patient outcomes. For example, one or more cut guides, compressor-distractor devices, and/or other instruments designed to accommodate the specific anatomical conditions of the procedure being performed may be utilized during procedure.

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 method of preparing a metatarsophalangeal joint for fusion may involve surgically accessing the metatarsophalangeal joint and separating the metatarsal from the opposed proximal phalanx at the joint. The technique may involve preparing an end of the metatarsal and preparing an end of the opposed proximal phalanx for fusion. With or without the aid of a bone positioner, the metatarsal may be moved in one or more planes, such as the frontal and transverse planes. The proximal phalanx may also be moved in one or more planes, for example relative to the moved metatarsal. Subsequently, a bone fixation device can be applied across or through the metatarsophalangeal joint separating the metatarsal from the opposed proximal phalanx.

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 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.