Meniscus prosthetic device selection and implantation methods

1. A method of treating a damaged meniscus, comprising:

utilizing a pre-implantation matching process to identify a best suitable meniscus prosthetic device for replacing the damaged meniscus, the pre-implantation matching process comprising a correlation parameters-based matching process that considers at least one of an area correlation, a width correlation, a length correlation, and a perimeter correlation, the area correlation defined by a meniscus contact area divided by a medial tibia area, the width correlation defined by an average meniscus width divided by a medial tibia width, the length correlation defined by a medial meniscus length divided by a medial tibia length, and the perimeter correlation defined by a meniscus perimeter divided by a medial tibia perimeter;

positioning a trial meniscus prosthetic device into a knee joint, the trial meniscus prosthetic device selected based on utilizing the pre-implantation matching process, wherein the trial meniscus prosthetic device includes radiopaque features distinguishing the trial meniscus prosthetic device from a permanent meniscus prosthetic device; and

evaluating a fit of the trial meniscus prosthetic device within the knee joint.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pre-implantation matching process further comprises a direct geometrical matching process and a finite element-based matching process.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein evaluating the fit of the trial comprises moving the knee joint through a variety of motions simulating natural motions of the knee.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

implanting an alternative trial of an alternative meniscus prosthetic device into the knee joint and evaluating a fit of the alternative trial.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

implanting the best suitable meniscus prosthetic device into the knee joint.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the best suitable meniscus prosthetic device comprises a medial meniscus prosthetic device and wherein implanting the best suitable meniscus prosthetic device comprises:

fully flexing the knee joint;

positioning the prosthetic device on a medial condyle of the knee joint;

positioning a portion of the prosthetic device in a gap between the femur and the tibia adjacent a posterior portion of the femur;

extending the knee joint; and

applying a valgus force on the knee joint.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein implanting the best suitable meniscus prosthetic further comprises:

inserting a traction suture; and

applying tension with the traction suture to urge the prosthetic device into position.

8. A method of treating a damaged meniscus, comprising:

utilizing a pre-implantation matching process to identify a best suitable meniscus prosthetic device for replacing the damaged meniscus, the pre-implantation matching process comprising a correlation parameters-based matching process that considers a correlation parameter including at least one of an area correlation, a width correlation, a length correlation, and a perimeter correlation, the area correlation defined by a meniscus contact area divided by a medial tibia area, the width correlation defined by a tibia width, the length correlation defined by a medial tibia length, and the perimeter correlation defined by a meniscus perimeter divided by a medial tibia perimeter;

comparing a patient knee image to one or more of the correlation parameters; and

determining a trial prosthetic meniscus replacement device based on the comparing;

positioning the trial meniscus prosthetic device into a knee joint, wherein the trial meniscus prosthetic device includes at least one of a marking or a coloring to visually distinguish the trial meniscus prosthetic implant from a permanent meniscus prosthetic implant; and

evaluating a fit of the trial meniscus prosthetic device within the knee joint.

9. A method of treating a damaged meniscus, comprising:

utilizing a pre-implantation matching process to identify a meniscus prosthetic implant for replacing at least a portion of the damaged meniscus, the pre-implantation matching process comprising a correlation parameters-based matching process that considers a correlation parameter including at least one of an area correlation, a width correlation, a length correlation, and a perimeter correlation, the area correlation defined by a meniscus contact area divided by a medial tibia area, the width correlation defined by a tibia width, the length correlation defined by a medial tibia length, and the perimeter correlation defined by a meniscus perimeter divided by a medial tibia perimeter;

comparing an image of a patient knee joint to one or more of the correlation parameters; and

determining a trial meniscus prosthetic implant based on the comparing;

positioning the trial meniscus prosthetic implant in the patient knee joint;

removing the trial meniscus prosthetic implant; and

implanting a permanent meniscus prosthetic implant having a similar size and shape as the trial meniscus prosthetic implant,

wherein the permanent meniscus prosthetic implant includes reinforcing fibers positioned around a circumference thereof, the permanent meniscus prosthetic implant including a greater number of the reinforcing fibers compared to the trial meniscus prosthetic implant.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the trial meniscus prosthetic implant includes radiopaque features.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the permanent meniscus prosthetic implant does not include radiopaque features.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the trial meniscus prosthetic implant is formed to be more easily removed from the knee joint than the permanent meniscus prosthetic implant.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein a wall of the permanent meniscus prosthetic implant is less flexible than a wall of the trial meniscus prosthetic implant.

14. The method of claim 9 , wherein the trial meniscus prosthetic implant includes a visual indicator to visually distinguish the trial meniscus prosthetic implant from the permanent meniscus prosthetic implant.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the visual indicator includes at least one of a marking or a coloring.