Abstract: An intramedullary stem that provides enhanced distal fixation and flexibility and methods for implanting the stem. Certain embodiments of the stem have primary and secondary flutes (or ridges or wedges). Other embodiments have transitional regions.

Abstract: A patellar cutting guide is particularly useful in a method of minimally invasive knee arthroplasty in which an incision is made along the medial or lateral aspect of a patient's knee, exposing the knee joint. The patellar cutting guide includes a clamp configured to be located exterior to the knee over the anterior portion of the patella, a stop having at least one portion configured to extend through an incision to a location posterior to the patella, and a cutting guide defining a cutting slot. The clamp may have outwardly extending spikes for passage through the tissue overlying the patella and into engagement with the patella. The stop is movable relative to the clamp and/or cutting guide. In one embodiment, the cutting guide is offset laterally and posteriorly relative to the clamp so that the slot is aligned with a medially or laterally-formed incision in the knee.

Abstract: A prosthetic shoulder implant includes a humeral component having an anchor and a head, and a glenoid component. The glenoid component is defined by a body having an outer surface including one or more tissue and bone in-growing material areas, a concave inner surface for accepting the head of the humeral component, and defining a stop portion which prevents the head of the humeral component from moving upwardly into contact with the acromion or clavicle. A method of total shoulder arthroplasty includes locating the humeral and glenoid components so that the glenoid component prevents movement of the humeral component into contact with the acromion or clavicle, and such that the glenoid component is permanently anchored to the patient by tissue and bone ingrowth into the outer surface of the component.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating fractures of the distal femur are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises an intramedullary nail and blade. The intramedullary nail has a passage through a distal end for accepting a locking screw and a blade passage which extends through a proximal end of the intramedullary nail. In one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes two blades for passage through the intramedullary nail, each blade when engaging the passage being freely moveable in the passage, but both blades when engaging the passage resisting rotation thereof with respect to the nail. A blade guide, when connected to the nail, defines a passage aligned with the passage through the nail for use in forming a passage in the femur into which the blade(s) are positioned.

Abstract: The invention is a method for performing a minimally invasive knee arthroplasty and components for this procedure. The method involves creating an incision along the medial or lateral aspect of a patient's knee, exposing the knee joint, resecting the distal end of the femur, the proximal end of the tibia and the posterior patella through the medial or lateral incision, and connecting a femoral, tibial and patellar knee replacement component through the incision. Components include specialized femoral, tibial and patellar cutting guides for use in resecting the femur, tibia and patella through the medial or lateral incision. In one embodiment, the method is performed with the aid of an image guidance system. In another embodiment, the method is performed with instruments which align the components, such as the cutting guides, without the use of an image guidance system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating fractures of the distal femur are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises an intramedullary nail and blade. The intramedullary nail has a passage through a distal end for accepting a locking screw and a blade passage which extends through a proximal end of the intramedullary nail. In one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes two blades for passage through the intramedullary nail, each blade when engaging the passage being freely moveable in the passage, but both blades when engaging the passage resisting rotation thereof with respect to the nail. A blade guide, when connected to the nail, defines a passage aligned with the passage through the nail for use in forming a passage in the femur into which the blade(s) are positioned.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating fractures of the distal femur are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises an intramedullary nail and blade. The intramedullary nail has a passage through a distal end for accepting a locking screw and a blade passage which extends through a proximal end of the intramedullary nail. The blade has a surface which when engaged with the femur resists relative rotation between the blade and femur and is also configured to cooperate with the blade passage to resist rotation of the blade with respect to the intramedullary nail. In accordance with a method, the intramedullary nail is extended into the medullary space of a femur from the distal end. The blade is positioned transversely to the intramedullary nail in a portion of the femur distal of the fracture. The blade is fixed, such as with a locking screw, to prevent axial movement relative to the intramedullary nail.

Abstract: The invention is a method for performing a minimally invasive knee arthroplasty and components for this procedure. The method involves creating an incision along the medial or lateral aspect of a patient's knee, exposing the knee joint, resecting the distal end of the femur, the proximal end of the tibia and the posterior patella through the medial or lateral incision, and connecting a femoral, tibial and patellar knee replacement component through the incision. Components include specialized femoral, tibial and patellar cutting guides for use in resecting the femur, tibia and patella through the medial or lateral incision. In one embodiment, the method is performed with the aid of an image guidance system. In another embodiment, the method is performed with instruments which align the components, such as the cutting guides, without the use of an image guidance system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating fractures of the distal femur are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises an intramedullary nail and blade. The intramedullary nail has a passage through a distal end for accepting a locking screw and a blade passage which extends through a proximal end of the intramedullary nail. The blade has a surface which when engaged with the femur resists relative rotation between the blade and femur and is also configured to cooperate with the blade passage to resist rotation of the blade with respect to the intramedullary nail. In accordance with a method, the intramedullary nail is extended into the medullary space of a femur from the distal end. The blade is positioned transversely to the intramedullary nail in a portion of the femur distal of the fracture. The blade is fixed, such as with a locking screw, to prevent axial movement relative to the intramedullary nail.