A device and method for a minimally invasive surgical implantation to reduce radicular symptoms by inserting an expandable cervical distraction implant in the facet joint and distracting the adjacent cervical vertebrae to increase the foraminal dimension. The implant, when positioned in the cervical facet joint, expands to via delivery of an inflation medium to increase the space between the vertebrae, thereby increasing the foraminal area or dimension, and reducing pressure on the nerves and blood vessels of the cervical spine.

A method for ameliorating joint conditions and diseases and preventing bone hypertrophy can include facilitating cartilage regrowth and preventing bone overgrowth to a damaged bone at a treatment site within a body joint to promote healing. The method can include providing a device having a first section comprising a joint-ward end having an inner surface and an outer surface and fenestrations between the inner and outer surfaces. A second section can include an opposing leading end and a lateral wall extending between the joint-ward end and the leading end. The leading end can be penetrated into the bone to a depth to substantially position: 1) the joint-ward end in a cartilage zone or at a boundary/transition area; and 2) the second section in the bone. Bone overgrowth into the cartilage zone may be prevented within the body joint when the device is positioned at the treatment site.

A bone positioning guide may be used as part of a bunion correction procedure. The bone positioning guide can include a bone engagement member configured to be positioned on a medial side of a first metatarsal of a foot and a tip separated from the bone engagement member by a distance effective to position the tip on a lateral side of a second metatarsal and in an intermetatarsal space between the second metatarsal and a third metatarsal. The bone positioning guide can also include a mechanism operable to reduce the distance between the bone engagement member and the tip, thereby causing the first metatarsal to move in at least a transverse plane to reduce an intermetatarsal angle between the first metatarsal and the second metatarsal.

The present invention provides a prosthetic device including a pad-shaped spacer (100) including expandable layers (30) having a structure that expands in response to the introduction of moisture because the expandable layers (30) are made of a hydrogel material, so that in a surgery or treatment process, water is absorbed into the expandable layers (30) and fill a space inside a muscle or joint (J) tissue in a state in which the spacer (100) is implanted inside the space inside the muscle or joint (J) tissue until a new tissue grows inside the muscle or joint (J) tissue for a predetermined period of time, and the expandable layers (30) degrade gradually at a rate corresponding to a rate at which the tissue grows, with the result that the muscle or joint (J) tissue can be used during a recovery period.

A method for fixating an artificial convex caput femur surface to the pelvic bone of a patient, the method comprising the steps of: exposing the acetabulum surface, creating a hole or recess in the pelvic bone from the acetabulum side of the pelvic bone, providing the artificial convex caput femur, comprising an elongated member to the hip joint, inserting said elongated member in said hole, and performing an action on the acetabulum side of the pelvic bone such that the elongated member is structurally changed on the abdominal side of the pelvic bone or inside the pelvic bone.

A method of treating a hip joint of a human patient using a pelvic drill comprising a driving member, a bone contacting and an operating device for operating said driving member. The method comprise the steps of cutting the skin of the human patient, dissecting an area of the pelvic bone on the opposite side from the acetabulum, creating a hole in said dissected area using said pelvic drill, said hole passing through the pelvic bone and into the hip joint of the human patient, and providing at least one hip joint surface to the hip joint, through said hole in the pelvic bone of the human patient. In one embodiment the method includes inserting a needle or tube like instrument into the patient's body for filling a part of the patient's body with gas and thereby expanding a cavity within the body.

A joint spacer is provided for treatment of a joint of a human subject, the joint spacer including a pouch having a wall including a dermal graft material. The joint spacer is configured to be inserted into a space of the joint, and is shaped, when the pouch is inserted into the space and filled, to provide mechanical support to the joint. Other embodiments are also described.

Methods for temporarily fixing an orientation of a bone or bones. Methods of correcting a bunion deformity. Bone positioning devices. Methods of using a bone positioning device. Bone preparation guides. Methods of using a bone preparation guide.

An implantable medical device for implantation in a hip joint is provided. The medical device comprises: at least one artificial hip joint surface adapted to replace at least the surface of at least one of the caput femur and acetabulum. At least one artificial hip joint surface comprises: a positioning hole with at least one opening in said at least one artificial hip joint surface. The hole is adapted to be placed and dimensioned such that the medical device is adapted to be fitted using a positioning shaft and at least partly surround the shaft, for positioning the at least one artificial hip joint surface in a desired position in the hip joint. The hole is adapted to be fitted using the positioning shaft, when the shaft is stabilized and placed in at least one of the femoral bone and the pelvic bone for positioning said medical device inside the hip joint.

A method for implanting a medical device for lubricating a joint in a human body, said method comprising the steps of creating an opening reaching from outside of the human body into the joint, providing an artificial contacting surface to said joint, fixating the artificial contacting surface to the joint, implanting a reservoir in the human body, and lubricating said artificial contacting surface by pressurizing a lubricating fluid contained in said reservoir.