Fibular stiffener and bony defect replacer
View Patent ↗A fibular implant is provided. The implant includes a stem anchored to the fibula and a joint body. The stem is at least partially covered with a bony-in-growth surface. The joint body includes an articulating surface for articulating with the talus. The articulating surface is polished to reduce friction in the ankle joint.
1. A method, comprising
removing at least a portion of a lateral malleolus to create a flat on an end of a fibula;
forming a cavity in the fibula that inwardly extends from the flat in a direction that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the fibula; and
inserting an elongate stem of a prosthesis into the cavity in the fibula until a planar first end of a substantially cylindrical joint body abuts the flat and a side of the substantially cylindrical joint body that terminates at a second rounded end is in position to articulate with a talus.
2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising fixing the prosthetic stem in the fibula.
3. The method according to claim 2 wherein the prosthetic stem is fixed in the fibula by screwing the stem into the cavity in the fibula.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the stem has a conical configuration.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the stem includes a biologic material.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the stem includes at least one thread along an exterior surface thereof.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical joint body and stem are integrally formed.
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the stem is adapted for bony in-growth.
9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical joint body includes a flat surface that extends from the first planar end to the second rounded end.
10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein an axis defined by the stem extends from the planar surface at an acute angle.
11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical joint body defines at least one hole for facilitating attachment of a ligament to the prosthesis.
12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the stem includes a smooth outer surface.
13. A method, comprising
removing at least a portion of a lateral malleolus to create a flat on an end of a fibula;
forming a cavity in the fibula that inwardly extends from the flat in a direction that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the fibula; and
screwing an elongate threaded stem of a prosthesis into the cavity in the fibula until a planar first end of a substantially cylindrical joint body abuts the flat and a side of the substantially cylindrical joint body that terminates at a second rounded end is in position to articulate with a talus.
14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the stem has a conical configuration.
15. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the stem includes a biologic material.
16. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the cylindrical joint body and stem are integrally formed.
17. The method according to claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of the stem is adapted for bony in-growth.
18. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the cylindrical joint body includes a flat surface that extends from the first planar end to the second rounded end.
19. The method according to claim 13 , wherein an axis defined by the stem extends from the planar surface at an acute angle.
20. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the cylindrical joint body defines at least one hole for facilitating attachment of a ligament to the prosthesis.