Extended articular surface resurfacing head

1. A monolithic humeral head resurfacing implant comprising:

a head having:

a hemispherical exterior articulating surface defining a terminating rim;

a concave interior surface opposite said hemispherical exterior articulating surface;

an integral straight anchoring stem having a textured outer surface configured to be directly coupled to bone, said anchoring stem extending from said interior surface and being integral with the interior surface; and

an extended articulating surface defining a flange axially protruding from only a portion of the terminating rim of said hemispherical exterior articulating surface, said extended articulating surface operable to articulate with at least one of a bone and a ligament, said extended articulating surface having a pair of interior intersecting flat planar surfaces, said interior intersecting flat planar bone bearing surfaces being generally parallel to the integral straight anchoring stem, wherein said extended articulating surface is located in a lateral region of said head when implanted in a patient, and wherein said pair of interior intersecting flat planar surfaces define a planar “V” shaped inner surface defined on the extended articulating surface.

2. The implant of claim 1 , wherein said extended articulating surface articulates with at least one element of a coracoacromial arch.

3. The implant of claim 1 , wherein said implant is comprised of at least one of cobalt chrome, titanium, and a biocompatible material.

4. The implant of claim 1 , wherein said stem includes flutes.

5. The implant of claim 1 , wherein said stem includes a first end proximate to said head and a second end distal to said head, said second end having a diameter that is smaller than said first end.

6. The implant of claim 1 , wherein said stem includes a blasted finish.

7. The implant of claim 1 , wherein said extended articulating surface includes an outer surface that is substantially flush with said exterior articulating surface.

8. A monolithic humeral head resurfacing implant comprising:

a humeral head having a hemispherical exterior articulating surface and a concave interior coupling surface, said hemispherical articulating surface terminating at a rim at a hemispherical equator;

an integral engagement stem configured to be directly coupled to bone, said stem extending from said head, said stem being integral with the concave coupling surface; and

an extended articulating surface defining a flange axially protruding from only a portion of the terminating rim of said hemispherical equator of said hemispherical articulating surface and operable to articulate with at least one element of a coracoacromial arch, said extended articulating surface having a pair of interior intersecting flat planar surfaces, said interior intersecting flat planar surfaces being generally parallel to the integral engagement stem, wherein said extended articulating surface is located in a lateral region of said head when implanted in a patient, and wherein said pair of interior intersecting flat planar surfaces define a planar “V” shaped inner surface defined on the extended articulating surface.

9. The implant of claim 8 , wherein said engagement stem further comprises flutes.

10. The implant of claim 8 , wherein said engagement stem is tapered.

11. The implant of claim 8 , wherein said extended surface is positioned at a lateral region of the implant when implanted in a patient.

12. A method for resurfacing a humeral head of an implant site, the method comprising:

resurfacing the humeral head so as to remove a portion of the humeral head leaving a resurfaced surface;

boring a hole into the humeral head;

resecting a portion of the humeral head so as to form a resected head having a pair of intersecting flat planar surfaces, said surfaces being generally parallel to the hole;

positioning a resurfacing humeral head implant adjacent said flat planar surfaces, after resecting said portion of the humeral head to form said pair of intersecting flat planar surfaces, said resurfacing head implant having a hemispherical exterior articulating surface which terminates at a rim at a hemispherical equator of the resurfacing humeral head implant, a concave interior surface, an integral engagement stem, and an extended articulating surface defining a flange axially protruding from only a portion of the terminating rim of said hemispherical equator of said hemispherical exterior articulating surface, said extended articulating surface having a pair of interior intersecting flat planar surfaces, said interior intersecting flat planar surfaces of the flange being generally parallel to the integral engagement stem, wherein said extended articulating surface is located in a lateral region of said humeral head implant when implanted in a patient, and wherein said pair of interior intersecting flat planar surfaces define a planar “V” shaped inner surface defined on the extended articulating surface;

aligning the pair of interior intersecting flat planar surfaces of the flange with the pair of intersecting flat planar surfaces formed on the bone; and

positioning the extended articulating surface of the resurfacing humeral head implant in a lateral region of the resected humeral head so as to articulate with at least one of a bone and a ligament and interface with the pair of intersecting flat planar surfaces formed on the bone.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein said resurfacing step comprises resecting a portion of the humeral head to receive the extended articulating surface.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein resurfacing the humeral head comprises forming a hole only within the humeral head, the hole operable to receive a short stem of the implant.