Soft tissue measurement and balancing systems and methods
Systems and methods for joint replacement are provided. The systems and methods can include a surgical orientation device and/or a reference sensor device. The surgical orientation device and orthopedic fixtures can be used to locate the orientation of an axis in the body, to adjust an orientation of a cutting plane or planes along a bony surface, to distract a joint, to measure an angle, to orient a cutting guide, to orient a resection guide, to resect the femur, or to otherwise assist in an orthopedic procedure or procedures.
1. A method of performing an orthopedic procedure, comprising:
providing an orthopedic system comprising:
a tibial member configured to contact a tibia, wherein the tibial member comprises a first coupler;
a femoral member configured to contact a femur, wherein the femoral member comprises a second coupler;
an adjustment device coupling the tibial member and the femoral member;
a first orientation device comprising a first inertial sensor and a user interface comprising a display screen; and
a second orientation device comprising a second inertial sensor, wherein the first orientation device and the second orientation device are releasably coupleable to the first coupler and the second coupler;
coupling a first orientation device with one of the first coupler of the tibial member or the second coupler of the femoral member;
coupling a second orientation device with one of the first coupler of the tibial member or the second coupler of the femoral member;
collecting an inertial sensor output from the first inertial sensor or the second inertial sensor; and
distracting the knee joint.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining with the first orientation device and the second orientation device a location of the mechanical axis of a bone adjacent to the knee joint.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising displaying on the display screen the inertial sensor output from the first inertial sensor or the second inertial sensor.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising storing the inertial sensor output from the first inertial sensor or the second inertial sensor.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising comparing the inertial sensor output at a first time and a second time during the procedure.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising collecting a distraction distance.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein collecting the distraction distance comprises capturing an image.
8. A method of performing an orthopedic procedure, comprising:
providing an orthopedic system comprising:
a tibial member configured to contact a tibia, wherein the tibial member comprises a first coupler;
a femoral member configured to contact a femur, wherein the femoral member comprises a second coupler;
an adjustment device coupling the tibial member and the femoral member;
a first orientation device comprising a first inertial sensor and a user interface comprising a display screen; and
a second orientation device comprising a second inertial sensor, wherein the first orientation device and the second orientation device are configured to couple to and decouple from the first coupler and the second coupler;
coupling the first orientation device with at least one of the tibial member and the femoral member;
coupling the second orientation device with at least one of the tibial member and the femoral member;
inserting the tibial member and the femoral member in the joint space;
distracting the knee joint; and
balancing the soft tissue.
9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising displaying a distraction distance on the display screen of the first orientation device.
10. The method of claim 8 , further comprising displaying a femoral angle on the display screen of the first orientation device.
11. The method of claim 8 , further comprising comparing a distraction distance in extension and flexion.
12. The method of claim 8 , wherein distracting the knee joint comprises distracting the knee joint in extension.
13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising recording an extension gap distance.
14. The method of claim 12 , further comprising distracting the knee joint in flexion after recording an extension gap distance.
15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising performing a posterior femoral cut corresponding to the extension gap measurement.
16. The method of claim 8 , wherein distracting the knee joint comprises distracting the knee joint in extension and balancing the soft tissue comprises balancing the soft tissue in extension.
17. The method of claim 8 , wherein balancing the soft tissue comprises balancing the soft tissue only in extension.
18. The method of claim 8 , further comprising measuring a femoral rotation angle in extension and flexion.
19. The method of claim 8 , further comprising recording a femoral rotation angle in flexion.
20. A method of performing an orthopedic procedure, comprising:
coupling a first orientation device with at least one of a tibial member and a femoral member, the first orientation device comprising a first inertial sensor;
coupling a second orientation device with at least one of the tibial member and the femoral member;
inserting the tibial member and the femoral member in the joint space;
distracting the knee joint, wherein distracting the knee joint comprises distracting the knee joint in extension;
distracting the knee joint in flexion after recording an extension gap distance;
matching the extension gap distance with a marking on a resection guide; and
balancing the soft tissue.