Abstract: A first bone portion may be secured to a second bone portion by forming a hole in the first bone portion and the second bone portion and inserting a bone screw into the hole. The bone screw may have a proximal member, a distal member, and a tension member with a proximal end coupled to the proximal member and a distal end coupled to the distal member. Torque may be applied to the bone screw to move the distal member away from the proximal member such that the tension member elongates and urges the distal member to move toward the proximal member. The torque may be transmitted from the proximal member to the distal member via a torque transmission feature. A bending transmission feature, displaced proximally or distally from the torque transmission feature, may be positioned to share bending loads between the proximal member and the distal member.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing an osteotomy are presented. Examples include forming a fusion osteotomy at a metatarsocuneiform joint of the first ray of a human foot.

Abstract: A bone fixation assembly may include a male member removably couplable with a female member. The male member may include a male load-sharing feature having at least one male load-sharing surface. The female member may include a female load-sharing feature having at least one female load-sharing surface. The female load-sharing feature may be positioned and shaped to receive the male load-sharing feature therein. In response to a bending load acting on the bone fixation assembly, at least one of the male member and the female member may bend such that, at least a portion of the at least one male load-sharing surface engages with at least a portion of the at least one female load-sharing surface to distribute the bending load between the male member and the female member.

Abstract: Instruments and methods for surgical transosseous attachment to a bone include a guide able to guide the formation of intersecting bone tunnels and a passer able to pass a member through the bone tunnels.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing an osteotomy are presented. Examples include forming a fusion osteotomy at a metatarsocuneiform joint of the first ray of a human foot.

Abstract: A tether assembly may be attached to a bone to correct a rotational deformity. The bone may have a growth plate that separates a first section of the bone from a second section of the bone. The tether assembly may have a tether member with a first end, a second end, and a central portion extending between the first end and the second end. The first end may have a closed outer wall that defines and fully bounds a first aperture. The second end may have an open outer wall that defines and partially bounds a second aperture. The open outer wall may define a slot in communication with the second aperture. The first and second ends may be securable to the first and second sections of the bone via coupling members inserted through the first and second apertures and anchored in the first and second sections, respectively.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing an osteotomy are presented. Examples include forming a fusion osteotomy at a metatarsocuneiform joint of the first ray of a human foot.

Abstract: Methods and devices for performing an osteotomy on a bone are presented. In one example of the invention, a method of performing an osteotomy on a bone includes removing a portion of bone from a first side of the bone to create a gap on the first side of the bone; making a cut on a second side of the bone, opposite the first side; and rotating the bone from a first position to a second position to close the gap on the first side of the bone and open the cut on the second side of the bone to create a gap on the second side of the bone.

Abstract: Methods and devices for performing an osteotomy produce a bone cut producing a multi-planar change in the alignment of a bone portion by rotating it relative to another bone portion.

Abstract: The disclosure provides apparatus and methods of use pertaining to syndesmosis reinforcement. Embodiments include a clamp having two jaws that extend toward each other to clamp two bone portions therebetween. The clamp may include an angle gauge and an adjustment mechanism having a force gauge that combine to enable the compression of the two bone portions in an optimal direction or angle and at an optimal, measurable compression force. Embodiments also include a tension instrument configured to knotlessly lock a flexible strand construct between two anchors at the same optimal direction and tension applied by the clamp. Further embodiments include an exemplary syndesmosis reinforcement procedure that employs the clamp and the tension instrument to construct a ligament reinforcement construct that achieves optimal anatomic positioning in both directional alignment and the reduction force applied by the construct. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for improving healing of an enthesis. An effective amount of a composition comprising one or more sex steroids and/or sex steroid equivalents is locally administered at the site of a repaired enthesis. The composition causes upregulation of one or more chondrogenic, angiogenic, and/or tendon modulation genes, resulting in improved healing of the enthesis. The improved enthesis healing occurs even where the subject has normal levels of sex hormones.

Abstract: The disclosure provides devices and methods of use pertaining to extra joint stabilization. Embodiments include a number of suture returning and locking anchors that feature both a suture return element and a suture locking feature that employs an interference fit between a flexible synthetic strand, a receiver of the anchor, and a set screw, where the receiver and the set screw each have a number of gradual, opposing tapers to facilitate gradual proximal-to-distal gripping and releasing of the flexible strand to achieve an optimal locking force while preventing severing of the flexible strand. Embodiments also include a counter-torque anchor driver configured to resist torsional forces generated during and translated to the anchor during set-screw insertion. Further embodiments include extra joint reinforcement, stabilization, and attachment constructs formed using the disclosed devices. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A bone screw may be insertable into a bone, and may have a proximal member, a distal member with bone-engaging threads, wherein the distal member is configured to slidably engage the proximal member such that a variable-length cavity is defined within the proximal member and the distal member, and a tension member residing at least partially within the variable-length cavity. The tension member may have a proximal end coupled to the proximal member and a distal end coupled to the distal member such that, in response to motion of the distal member away from the proximal member, the tension member elongates and urges the distal member to move toward the proximal member. The proximal member and the distal member may be interconnected to share bending loads at a bending transmission feature.

Abstract: Methods and devices for performing an osteotomy produce a bone cut producing a multi-planar change in the alignment of a bone portion by rotating it relative to another bone portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing an osteotomy are presented. Examples include forming a fusion osteotomy at a metatarsocuneiform joint of the first ray of a human foot.

Abstract: The disclosure provides devices and methods of use pertaining to extra joint stabilization. Embodiments include a number of suture returning and locking anchors that feature both a suture return element and a suture locking feature that employs an interference fit between a flexible synthetic strand, a receiver of the anchor, and a set screw, where the receiver and the set screw each have a number of gradual, opposing tapers to facilitate gradual proximal-to-distal gripping and releasing of the flexible strand to achieve an optimal locking force while preventing severing of the flexible strand. Embodiments also include a counter-torque anchor driver configured to resist torsional forces generated during and translated to the anchor during set-screw insertion. Further embodiments include extra joint reinforcement, stabilization, and attachment constructs formed using the disclosed devices. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure provides apparatus and methods of use pertaining to syndesmosis reinforcement. Embodiments include a clamp having two jaws that extend toward each other to clamp two bone portions therebetween. The clamp may include an angle gauge and an adjustment mechanism having a force gauge that combine to enable the compression of the two bone portions in an optimal direction or angle and at an optimal, measurable compression force. Embodiments also include a tension instrument configured to knotlessly lock a flexible strand construct between two anchors at the same optimal direction and tension applied by the clamp. Further embodiments include an exemplary syndesmosis reinforcement procedure that employs the clamp and the tension instrument to construct a ligament reinforcement construct that achieves optimal anatomic positioning in both directional alignment and the reduction force applied by the construct. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A knotless suture anchor system is disclosed for improved anchoring in tissue. The knotless suture anchor system includes an anchor body having an exterior surface, a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends, an interior longitudinal passageway extending at least partway from the proximal end toward the distal end, a proximal opening communicating with the longitudinal passageway nearer the proximal end, and a distal opening communicating with the longitudinal passageway nearer the distal end. The knotless suture anchor system also includes an interference member insertable distally into the longitudinal passageway to secure a portion of a suture within the longitudinal passageway by compressing the portion of the suture between the interference member and the anchor body, and a frangible connection that joins a proximal member to the anchor body.

Abstract: A pedicle screw assembly including a bone fastener having a lower end for engaging bone and an upper end remote from the lower end; a head having a rod-receiving channel attached to the upper end of said bone fastener; a spinal rod insertable into the rod-receiving channel of said head, said spinal rod having an outer surface extending between first and second ends thereof, wherein at least one of the first and second ends has a reduced diameter section. A spinal rod having an outer surface extending between a first end and a second end thereof; wherein the outer surface of said spinal rod has a reduced diameter section at at least one of the first and second ends.

Abstract: Methods and devices for performing an osteotomy on a bone are presented. In one example of the invention, a method of performing an osteotomy on a bone includes removing a portion of bone from a first side of the bone to create a gap on the first side of the bone; making a cut on a second side of the bone, opposite the first side; and rotating the bone from a first position to a second position to close the gap on the first side of the bone and open the cut on the second side of the bone to create a gap on the second side of the bone.