Total ankle replacement system and processes for making and using the same

1 . A total ankle replacement (TAR) system comprising:

a tibial implant, the tibial implant comprising:

a base component comprising:

an anterior surface;

a posterior surface;

a base plate, the base plate comprising

a first surface and a second surface;

the first surface including an attachment feature;

the second surface including an anchoring member, the anchoring member comprising a front surface, the front surface defining a first opening; and

a stem component comprising a longitudinal axis, the stem component coupled to the anchoring member, the stem component comprising:

a first modular member comprising a back surface, the back surface defining a second opening,

wherein a first fastener is inserted through the first opening and into at least a portion of the second opening in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and extending between the anterior surface and the posterior surface to couple the first modular member to the anchoring member, the first fastener further oriented in a horizontal direction relative to the second surface.

2 . The TAR system of claim 1 wherein the first modular member is positioned at an offset angle relative to an axis orthogonal to the second surface.

3 . The TAR system of claim 2 , wherein a first fixation feature of the first modular member engages with the anchoring member.

4 . The TAR system of claim 3 , wherein a second fixation feature of the first modular member engages with a first fixation feature of a second modular member.

5 . The TAR system of claim 4 , wherein a second fastener is used to fasten the second modular member to the first modular member.

6 . The TAR system of claim 5 , wherein the second fixation feature of the first modular member defines a female portion of a dovetail joint and the first fixation feature of the second modular member defines a male portion of a dovetail joint.

7 . The TAR system of claim 1 , wherein the first opening includes at least one anti-backout feature.

8 . The TAR system of claim 7 , wherein the at least one anti-backout feature includes a flexible pawl, the flexible pawl selectively engaging with one tooth of the first fastener.

9 . The TAR system of claim 1 , wherein the tibial implant includes one or more regions for osteointegration.

10 . The TAR system of claim 9 , wherein the one or more regions comprises a gyroid structure.

11 . A system for replacing a tibial side of a patient's ankle joint, wherein the tibial side of the ankle joint includes a tibia having a medullary cavity, the system comprising:

a tibial implant comprising:

a stem component, the stem component comprising a longitudinal axis and a modular member, the modular member comprising a back surface, the back surface defining a first opening; and

a base component, the base component comprising a front surface, the front surface defining a second opening,

wherein the stem component is coupled to the base component by inserting a fastener through the second opening and into the first opening in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and extending from an anterior surface of the base component toward a posterior surface of the base component;

one or more tools for preparing the tibia for installation of the tibial implant, the one or more tools comprising a tibial trial, a distractor, a right-angle drill, a broach, a reamer assembly, and a guide wire; and

one or more instruments for installing the tibial implant into a prepared tibial surface, the one or more instruments comprising a stem inserter and an impactor.

12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the tibial trial comprises:

a trial face having a viewing slot, an alignment slot, and a fastener opening; and

a trial base having one or more channels and an access opening.

13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein a sight alignment tool is inserted into the alignment slot to verify a desirable position of the tibial trial.

14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the tibial trial is secured to the patient's tibia using a fastener and the fastener opening.