System and method for weight bearing simulation during foot surgery
A system to provide weight bearing simulation includes a plate; a strap to hold the plate to a foot; and a device configured to mount to the plate and adjust a position of the foot to the plate.
1 . A system to provide weight bearing simulation, the system comprising:
a radiolucent, substantially planar plate having a superior surface and an inferior surface, the plate including a heel locator and a midfoot region and defining a through-slot located between the heel locator and the midfoot region;
an angled webbing guide mounted to the inferior surface of the plate under the through-slot;
a strap routed from the superior surface through the through-slot to the inferior surface and around the angled webbing guide and back to the superior surface, the strap configured to hold the plate to a patient's foot across the midfoot region;
a posterior-medial heel block attachable to the plate adjacent the heel locator and including heel support pegs to which an end of the strap is attachable; and
a lateral heel block attachable to the plate opposite the posterior-medial heel block and including a body and a knob configured to tighten the lateral heel block against a calcaneus of the patient's foot to clamp the heel of the patient's foot between the posterior-medial heel block and the lateral heel block.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the plate includes a plurality of holes to mount the lateral heel block.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the lateral heel block is adjustable to accommodate various size feet.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein a first side of the plate is configured to be secured to a right foot and a second side of the plate is configured to be secured to a left foot.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the lateral heel block includes a pusher configured to adjust a position of a bone of the foot.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the lateral heel block includes a distractor configured to apply force to separate bones of the foot.
7 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the plate further includes a plurality of holes arranged to receive mounting features of the posterior-medial heel block and the lateral heel block.
8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the plate further includes a plurality of pegboard holes arranged to receive a hallux-valgus pusher and a lateral phalanx support for aligning metatarsophalangeal bones while the plate is secured to the foot.
9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the system is configured to simulate weight bearing by enabling application of force to the plate as a whole while the foot is secured to the radiolucent, substantially planar plate by the strap and the medial and lateral heel blocks.
10 . A system to provide weight bearing simulation, the system comprising:
a radiolucent, substantially planar plate having a superior surface, an inferior surface, a heel locator, and a through-slot located between the heel locator and a midfoot region of the plate, an angled webbing guide mounted to the inferior surface of the plate under the through-slot, a strap routed from the superior surface through the through-slot to the inferior surface and around the angled webbing guide and back to the superior surface, the strap configured to hold the plate to a patient's foot across the midfoot region, a posterior-medial heel block attachable to the plate adjacent the heel locator and including heel support pegs to which an end of the strap is attachable, and a lateral heel block attachable to the plate opposite the posterior-medial heel block and including a body and a knob configured to tighten the lateral heel block against a calcaneus of the patient's foot to clamp the heel of the patient's foot between the posterior-medial heel block and the lateral heel block;
a clamp configured to secure the plate by compressing the plate between a base and an opposing arm with a screw driven through the arm toward the base to generate clamping force; and
an adjuster attached to the arm of the clamp and including a body, a lead screw oriented perpendicular to a weight-bearing plane defined by the plate to provide linear adjustment in a superior-inferior direction, and a guide interface coupled to the body, the guide interface being configured to mount a surgical guide and to be tightened or loosened relative to the body with a second screw; wherein the surgical guide is mountable to the guide interface via posts on the guide interface receivable in corresponding holes of the surgical guide and a locking tab operable to retain the surgical guide on the posts, wherein the clamp and adjuster are configured to position the surgical guide relative to the patient's foot in contact with the plate while the plate is secured by the clamp to simulate weight bearing during foot surgery.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the adjuster includes a lead screw and dowel mechanism.
12 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the adjuster includes a body, a lead screw, and a guide interface.
13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the guide interface is configured to mount a surgical guide.
14 . A method of performing foot surgery comprising:
providing a radiolucent, substantially planar plate having a superior surface and an inferior surface, the plate including a heel locator and a midfoot region and defining a through-slot located between the heel locator and the midfoot region;
an angled webbing guide mounted to the inferior surface of the plate under the through-slot;
a strap routed from the superior surface through the through-slot to the inferior surface and around the angled webbing guide and back to the superior surface, the strap configured to hold the plate to a patient's foot across the midfoot region;
a posterior-medial heel block attachable to the plate adjacent the heel locator and including heel support pegs to which an end of the strap is attachable; and
a lateral heel block attachable to the plate opposite the posterior-medial heel block and including a body and a knob configured to tighten the lateral heel block against a calcaneus of the patient's foot to clamp the heel of the patient's foot between the posterior-medial heel block and the lateral heel block; and
securing the patient's foot to the radiolucent, substantially planar plate.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein securing the foot to the plate includes locking the heel of the patient's foot into place on the radiolucent, substantially planar plate.
16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein securing the foot to the plate includes mounting a stabilizer to the plate and inserting a k wire through the stabilizer and into the foot.
17 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising simulating weight bearing by applying a force to the foot via the plate.
18 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising: attaching a guide to the plate; and adjusting alignment of a first bone and a second bone using the guide.
19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising distracting the first bone and the second bone using the guide.