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: Systems, devices, and techniques can be used to perform an osteotomy on a bone of a foot, to realign a cut bone portion relative to an adjacent bone portion, and/or to fixate a moved position of the cut bone portion relative to the adjacent bone portion for fusion. In some examples, the disclosed devices and techniques can be used as part of a metatarsal correction procedure in which a metatarsal is treated to correct a bunion deformity.

Abstract: A method of placing an implant at one or more bone portions includes inserting a pinning and drilling instrument a first distance into a bone portion at a location at the bone portion such that a pin portion of the pinning and drilling instrument is inserted into the bone portion at the location; after inserting the pinning and drilling instrument the first distance into the bone portion, creating an implant receiving aperture at the location by further inserting the pinning and drilling instrument a second further distance into the bone portion at the location at the bone portion such that a drill portion of the pinning and drilling instrument is inserted into the bone portion to create the implant receiving aperture at the location; and placing an implant at the implant receiving aperture.

Abstract: A method of fixating bones for fusion includes positioning an implant guide sleeve at a first bone and a second bone and across a separation between the first bone from the second bone. The method further includes using the implant guide sleeve to guide creation of a first implant hole in the first bone and to guide creation of a second implant hole in the second bone, aligning an inserter, operatively connected to an implant, with the implant guide sleeve, and advancing the inserter, relative to the implant guide sleeve, to position the implant in contact with the first bone and the second bone with the implant bridging between the first bone and the second bone.

Abstract: A method of modifying a bone surface for receiving an implant includes: positioning a contour guide at a first bone and a second bone and across a separation between the first bone and the second bone; using the contour guide to modify a surface region of at least one of the first bone and the second bone to form a modified surface region at one or both of the first bone and the second bone; and positioning an implant in contact at least with the modified surface region.

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 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 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: 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 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: 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: 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: A surgical technique can be performed utilizing a detachable driver-implant system and comparatively small surgical incision. The clinician can make an incision through the skin of the patient and retract the skin along the incision to expose a first bone region. The clinician can insert an implant into one or more bone portions using a detachable driver-implant system and then detach the driver, leaving the implant in the one or more bone portions. The clinician can reposition the skin of the patient at least partially over the end of the implant to expose a second bone region not exposed while the first bone region was exposed. After optionally performing one or more surgical steps on second bone region, the clinician can reposition the skin to again expose the first bone region. The clinician can then reattach the driver to the implant and remove the implant from the bone portions.

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.