INSTRUMENTS AND SURGICAL METHODS FOR BUNION PROCEDURES

1 . An alignment system, comprising:

an alignment instrument, comprising:

a lateral portion; and

a medial portion, wherein the medial portion is releasably and slidably couplable with the lateral portion;

wherein the distal portion and the medial portion are couplable with first and second bones of a patient and actuatable to apply a compression therebetween the first and second bones.

2 . The alignment system of claim 1 , wherein the lateral portion comprises:

an upper portion; and

a lower portion, wherein the lower portion is slidably adjustable and releasably coupled with the upper portion.

3 . The alignment system of claim 2 , wherein the medial portion comprises:

a proximal portion; and

a distal portion, wherein the distal portion is slidably adjustable and releasably coupled with the proximal portion.

4 . The alignment system of claim 3 , wherein the proximal portion is releasably couplable with a first bone of a patient and the distal portion is releasably couplable with a second bone of a patient.

5 . The alignment system of claim 4 , wherein the medial portion further comprises:

a first actuator threadably engaged with the proximal portion and the distal portion.

6 . The alignment system of claim 5 , wherein the first actuator is configured such that actuation of the first actuator increases or decreases a distance between the proximal portion and the medial portion.

7 . The alignment system of claim 6 , further comprising a second actuator threadably engaged with the medial portion and the lateral portion of the alignment instrument.

8 . The alignment system of claim 7 , wherein the second actuator is configured such that actuation of the second actuator increases or decreases a distance between the medial portion and the lateral portion.

9 . The alignment system of claim 8 , wherein the distal portion comprises an extension extending substantially upward from the distal portion, wherein the extension comprises:

a first prong; and

a second prong, wherein the second prong is separated from the first prong by a slot;

wherein the first and second prongs comprise a curvature comprising a consistent radius along a length thereof.

10 . The alignment system of claim 9 , further comprising:

a third actuator positioned at least partially within the slot, wherein the third actuator is translatable along a curved path defined by the first and second prongs.

11 . The alignment system of claim 10 , wherein the third actuator comprises:

a cannulation extending therethrough along a longitudinal axis from a first end to a second end; and

a locking mechanism adjustable between locked and unlocked positions, wherein the unlocked position permits translation of the third actuator within the slot and the locked position retains the third actuator at a point along the length of the slot.

12 . The alignment system of claim 11 , further comprising:

a positioning instrument, comprising:

a wedge-shaped geometry;

a texture disposed on an angled surface thereof; and

a handle extending from the wedge-shaped geometry.

13 . The alignment system of claim 12 , wherein the alignment system comprises at least one of an intramedullary nail or a plate configured to couple with the first bone and the second bone.

14 . The alignment system of claim 13 , wherein the proximal portion comprises:

a first opening extending from a medial surface therethrough to a lateral surface, wherein the first opening comprises a longitudinal axis having a trajectory configured to facilitate implantation of the intramedullary nail; and

a second extending from the medial surface therethrough to the lateral surface, wherein the second opening comprises a longitudinal axis having a trajectory configured to facilitate implantation of the plate.

15 . An alignment system, comprising:

an alignment instrument, comprising:

a lateral portion comprising an upper portion and lower portion slidably adjustable and releasably couplable with one another;

a medial portion adjustable and releasably couplable with the lateral portion and comprising a distal portion and a proximal portion;

wherein the distal portion and the proximal portion are couplable with first and second bones of a patient and actuatable to apply a compression therebetween the first and second bones; and

a retention element releasably couplable with the upper portion of the lateral portion of the alignment instrument and configured to engage with a third bone of the patient; and

a positioning instrument.

16 . The instrument system of claim 15 , wherein the positioning instrument comprises a substantially wedge-shaped geometry and a texture disposed on an angled surface thereof.

17 . The instrument system of claim 16 , wherein the distal portion comprises an extension extending substantially upward from the distal portion, wherein the extension comprises:

a first prong; and

a second prong, wherein the second prong is separated from the first prong by a slot;

wherein the first and second prongs comprise a curvature comprising a consistent radius along a length thereof.

18 . The alignment system of claim 17 , further comprising:

a third actuator positioned at least partially within the slot, wherein the third actuator is translatable along a curved path defined by the first and second prongs.

19 . The alignment system of claim 18 , wherein the third actuator comprises:

a cannulation extending therethrough along a longitudinal axis from a first end to a second end; and

a locking mechanism adjustable between locked and unlocked positions, wherein the unlocked position permits translation of the third actuator within the slot and the locked position retains the third actuator at a point along the length of the slot.

20 . A surgical method, comprising:

coupling a retention member with a first bone of a patient;

coupling a lateral portion of an alignment instrument with the retention member;

coupling a medial portion of the alignment instrument with the lateral portion of the alignment instrument;

coupling a distal aspect of the medial portion of the alignment instrument with a second bone of the patient;

coupling a proximal aspect of the medial portion of the alignment instrument with a third bone of the patient;

actuating the alignment instrument to apply compression between the second and third bones; and

applying fixation across the second and third bones.