Bone fixation system, assembly, implants, devices, insertion guides, and methods of use
Guides, implants, devices, instruments, systems, and assemblies for achieving bone fusion are disclosed. A bone fusion system, including an implant template, a guide wire for insertion through the implant template, a bone plate for receiving the guide wire, and an alignment guide apparatus for coupling to the bone plate. Methods of using a bone fusion system for achieving bone fusion are also disclosed.
1. A method of using a bone fusion system, comprising:
making an incision over a navicular-cuneiform joint;
preparing the joint for fusion;
coupling an implant template to the joint with at least one wire;
forming aa recessed region in a navicular bone with the implant template;
removing the implant template from the navicular-cuneiform joint;
positioning a plate on the navicular-cuneiform joint;
and inserting bone screws through the plate to secure the plate to at least two bones of the navicular-cuneiform joint.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
coupling an alignment guide apparatus to the plate.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the alignment guide apparatus comprises:
a body, the body comprising:
an arm with a first end and a second end;
an attachment portion at the first end; and
an alignment portion at the second end;
a fixation member, wherein the fixation member extends through the attachment portion;
a guide pin protector, wherein the guide pin protector extends through the alignment portion; and
a compression screw configured to engage the guide pin protector.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the attachment portion comprises a through hole configured to receive the fixation member.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the alignment portion comprises:
at least one through hole for receiving the guide pin protector.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the alignment portion is tapered from a first side to a second side.
7. The method of claim 3 , wherein the fixation member comprises:
a knob portion; and
a shaft portion extending away from the knob portion.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the shaft portion comprises:
an engagement region; and
a recessed region positioned adjacent to the engagement region.
9. The method of claim 3 , wherein the compression screw has a first end and a second end, the screw further comprising:
a head portion at the first end;
a shaft portion extending away from the head portion to the second end, wherein the shaft portion comprises a smooth region and a threaded region; and
a through hole extending from the first end to the second end.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least two bone screws extend through at least two openings in the plate.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the implant template comprises:
a first distal lobe positioned on a plantar side of a first end of the implant template;
a second distal lobe positioned on a dorsal side of the first end of the implant template;
a proximal lobe positioned on the plantar side of a second end of the implant template;
an alignment opening positioned near a proximal end of the implant template;
a positioning slot positioned near a distal end of the implant template; and
a proximal drill guide member positioned on the dorsal side of the second end of the implant template.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the implant template further comprises:
a first alignment guide opening positioned near the distal end of the implant template; and
a second alignment guide opening.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plate comprises:
an angled lobe positioned on a dorsal side of a proximal end of the plate, wherein the angled lobe is angled relative to a horizontal plane and a top plane of the plate.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the angled lobe comprises a bone contacting surface, wherein the bone contacting surface is at least one of a curved or semi-circular shape.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the plate further comprises:
a first distal lobe positioned on a plantar side of a distal end of the plate;
a second distal lobe positioned on the dorsal side of the distal end of the plate; and
a proximal lobe positioned on a plantar side of the proximal end of the plate.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein each of the lobes comprises an opening extending through the plate from an exterior surface to an interior surface, and wherein the exterior and interior surfaces are non-planar.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the opening in the proximal lobe comprises a compound angle, wherein the compound angle comprises:
a first angle, wherein the first angle is the angle of a central axis of the opening from a horizontal plane; and
a second angle, wherein the second angle is the angle of the central axis of the opening from a dorsal plane.
18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the plate further comprises:
an alignment opening positioned near a proximal end of the plate; and
a positioning slot positioned near the distal end of the plate.
19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the plate further comprises:
a first alignment guide opening positioned near the distal end of the plate; and
a second alignment guide opening.
20. A method of using a bone fusion system for fusing bones, comprising:
creating an incision over a navicular-cuneiform joint;
preparing the joint for fusion;
selecting an implant template and a corresponding bone plate that fits the navicular-cuneiform joint, said bone plate comprising a slot;
coupling the implant template to the joint with at least one wire;
forming a recessed region in a navicular bone with the implant template;
removing the implant template from the navicular-cuneiform joint;
positioning the bone plate on the navicular-cuneiform joint and receiving the at least one wire in the slot; and
inserting one or more bone screws through one or more openings in the bone plate to secure the bone plate to at least two bones of the navicular-cuneiform joint.