Abstract: A distal tip wire relief section may be applied to any cannulated instrument or implant requiring the use of a guidewire with an enlarged head, such as a ball tip guidewire used in conjunction with an intramedullary nail. The implant incorporates an enlarged opening at the leading or distal portion of the cannula. The enlarged opening is selectively placed about the periphery of the distal portion to allow opening relief in areas where guidewire removal will be facilitated. Thus, a surgeon can reliably and repeatedly remove the guidewire after implantation of the implant by pulling the enlarged head of the guidewire proximally into and through the cannula.

Abstract: A distal tip wire relief section may be applied to any cannulated instrument or implant requiring the use of a guidewire with an enlarged head, such as a ball tip guidewire used in conjunction with an intramedullary nail. The implant incorporates an enlarged opening at the leading or distal portion of the cannula. The enlarged opening is selectively placed about the periphery of the distal portion to allow opening relief in areas where guidewire removal will be facilitated. Thus, a surgeon can reliably and repeatedly remove the guidewire after implantation of the implant by pulling the enlarged head of the guidewire proximally into and through the cannula.

Abstract: An orthopaedic implant is forged from a metallic body consisting of a cobalt-chromium alloy. The forged implant is descaled by blasting the implant with a particulate blasting agent at a momentum which is sufficient to remove scale formed on the implant during the forging step but insufficient to otherwise cause major structural surface deformation to the implant. The descaled implant is electro-chemical polished by submersing the implant in an acid bath having a temperature of between approximately 80.degree. F. and 90.degree. F. The acid bath includes approximately 45% sulfuric acid and 50% phosphoric acid. Direct current electrical power ranging between approximately 10 volts D.C. and 13 volts D.C. is applied to the implant. The polished implant is ultrasonically cleaned. The implant is inspected with a fluorescent penetrant to determine whether surface defects exist in the implant.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an orthopaedic apparatus 24, 80, 380, 480, 580 for positioning an implant 22, 322, 422 relative to an end of a bone. The implant has at least one extractor opening 30, 330, 430 and a shoulder 26, 326, 426 with a slot therein. The positioning apparatus includes a shaft 32, 82, 382, 482 having a fixed impactor tip at an end thereof. The impactor tip is configured to be received within the implant slot. At least one clamping jaw is connected to the shaft, and includes a projection which is configured to be received in the at least one extractor opening. The at least one clamping jaw is preferably detachably connected to the shaft.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for the human hip having elongated fins or other like protrusions which are provided on the lower surface of a collar and which extend into previously formed slots or grooves in the bone. Either a plurality of fins, or a single fin having a non-rectilinear shape is provided. In one embodiment, previously formed fins are secured to a lower surface of the collar after formation of the collar. In this embodiment, pegs disposed on the fins preferably reside in correspondingly formed holes in the collar, or reside within slots extending inwardly from outer surfaces of the collar. Alternatively, the fins may be welded or otherwise bonded to the lower surface of the collar.