Abstract: An orthopaedic tibial prosthesis includes a tibial baseplate with features designed for use with small-stature knee-replacement patients. The tibial prosthesis may include a shortened tibial keel, tibial keel fins which define a large angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the keel, and/or tibial keel fins which extend along less than the entire longitudinal extent of the keel.

Abstract: An assembly system configured to seat a first orthopedic component having either a male taper or a female taper with a second orthopedic component having the other of a male taper or a female taper. In one embodiment, the assembly system includes a taper seating connector having a fastener and a bushing moveable retained on the fastener. The fastener may be connected to the first orthopedic component and the bushing may be positioned adjacent the second orthopedic component. The corresponding tapers on the first and second orthopedic components may be configured to secure the first and second orthopedic components together. Thus, by exerting a sufficient force on the bushing, the bushing will move along the fastener, transferring the force to the second orthopedic component. In this manner, the corresponding tapers of the first and second orthopedic components may be seated.

Abstract: A tibial augment for use with a knee joint prosthesis, composed of annular members of different stock sizes, each size being configured to fit within a cavity formed in a human tibia. The augment may include a stepped distal surface. A provisional (temporary) tibial augment used to ensure a proper fit for the permanent augment is also provided. The provisional may include grooves configured to cooperate with a set of ribs on a tong-like holder used for removing the provisional from the cavity. A pusher for use implanting the tibial augment is also provided. In addition, a system for creating a cavity in a human tibia is also described. The system preferably includes a guide with a slot therein and a set of osteotomes that are inserted within different portions of the slot. Methods for using the tools and/or implanting the prosthetic devices discussed above are also described.

Abstract: An orthopaedic tibial prosthesis includes a tibial baseplate with features designed for use with small-stature knee-replacement patients. The tibial prosthesis may include a shortened tibial keel, tibial keel fins which define a large angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the keel, and/or tibial keel fins which extend along less than the entire longitudinal extent of the keel.

Abstract: A provisional prosthetic system and the surgical methods for utilizing the same. In one embodiment, the provisional prosthetic system includes a keel and a plate configured to be secured to the keel. The keel may further include a body and at least one fin extending outwardly therefrom. The fin functions to prevent rotation of the keel once it is implanted within a bone. In one embodiment, the plate includes a captured screw having a flanged head and external threads. The captured screw is retained by the plate and configured to secure the plate to the keel. In this embodiment, the captured screw extends through an aperture in the plate. Further, the captured screw may be retained by the plate due to the interaction of the flange head and external threads of the captured screw with the top and bottom surfaces of the plate, respectively.

Abstract: An assembly system configured to seat a first orthopedic component having either a male taper or a female taper with a second orthopedic component having the other of a male taper or a female taper. In one embodiment, the assembly system includes a taper seating connector having a fastener and a bushing moveable retained on the fastener. The fastener may be connected to the first orthopedic component and the bushing may be positioned adjacent the second orthopedic component. The corresponding tapers on the first and second orthopedic components may be configured to secure the first and second orthopedic components together. Thus, by exerting a sufficient force on the bushing, the bushing will move along the fastener, transferring the force to the second orthopedic component. In this manner, the corresponding tapers of the first and second orthopedic components may be seated.

Abstract: A provisional prosthetic system and the surgical methods for utilizing the same. In one embodiment, the provisional prosthetic system includes a keel and a plate configured to be secured to the keel. The keel may further include a body and at least one fin extending outwardly therefrom. The fin functions to prevent rotation of the keel once it is implanted within a bone. In one embodiment, the plate includes a captured screw having a flanged head and external threads. The captured screw is retained by the plate and configured to secure the plate to the keel. In this embodiment, the captured screw extends through an aperture in the plate. Further, the captured screw may be retained by the plate due to the interaction of the flange head and external threads of the captured screw with the top and bottom surfaces of the plate, respectively.