A surgical kit includes a shield for covering a portion of the spine of a subject. The shield can include an attachment portion adapted to engage a bone fixation assembly which is adapted to be fixed on multiple vertebra bones of the subject. The bone fixation assembly can include a vertebra joining member secured between two bone anchors. Each bone anchor can include a fastener portion adapted to be implanted into a vertebra bone and a head coupling portion adapted to secure the vertebra joining member. The shield can be coupled to the bone fixation assembly via separate coupling elements, such as a clip or an adjustable link secured between two vertebra joining members of the bone fixation assembly. Alternatively, the shield can include an integral attachment portion configured to engage the bone fixation assembly directly.

A pedicle screw for spinal fixation having a bone fastener portion a permanent rod coupling, a breakaway portion connected to the permanent rod coupling and a temporary rod coupling. A permanent rod can be positioned in the permanent rod coupling and a temporary rod can be positioned in the temporary rod coupling and when the temporary rod is not needed the temporary rod coupling can be removed by separation at a breakaway portion.

Disclosed is a positioning instrument that includes: two branches equipped at the proximal end thereof with an opposite jaw between which the graft is positioned, the two branches moving closer to one another by a translation movement; and a drill bush including a first hole and a second hole, separated by a distance and sized for the passage and guidance of a bone drill bit. Also disclosed are an instrument kit as well as a method for attaching a graft.

An apparatus for correcting bunion deformity includes an elongated member, a first arm member extending from a first end to a second end, a second arm member, and a rotation guide. The first arm member has an arm axis and is coupled to the first end of the elongated member so that the arm axis extends in an orthogonal direction from the elongated member. The second arm member includes an attachment portion configured to translatably engage the elongated member and an extension extending in the same orthogonal direction as the first arm member. The rotation guide is coupled to the first arm member such that the rotation guide is configured to rotate with respect to the first arm member about a rotation axis, the rotation guide defining a bore having a longitudinal axis.

Embodiments of the invention describe methods of implanting and setting an adjustable suture structure capable of maximizing and controlling the available range of motion in a defective joint. The adjustable suture structure can augment a joint repair following surgery or be used as a standalone construct. One embodiment involves completion of a standard ligament repair, followed by the implant of anchors to secure sutures between bone locations proximal to the native origin of the repaired ligaments. Each of the sutures is implanted with at least some slack. Once the sutures are secured, the first suture is alternatively tensioned and moved through a range of motion, followed by the same process in a second suture. The steps are performed iteratively until the range of motion is controlled or limited sufficiently to protect the repaired ligaments.

Implantable assemblies for manipulating energy transferred by members defining an anatomical joint, and methods of implanting and using. The members of the anatomical joint collectively define a path of motion. An assembly includes a first component configured to be attached to a first member of the anatomical joint; a second component configured to be attached to a second member of the anatomical joint; and a joint joining the first and second components. The first component includes a first flex member and the second component includes a second flex member. The first and second flex members are configured to flex to absorb energy transferred by the members of the anatomical joint.

An orthopaedic implant knee hinge and surgical method for minimally invasive insertion of the orthopaedic implant knee hinge. The apparatus and method stabilizes the knee in patients after ligament surgery, conventional fixation of supracondylar and intracondylar fractures of the femur and/or tibial plateau and proximal tibia fractures. The knee hinge is inserted subcutaneously (but supra-muscularly) on one of both of the medial or lateral side of the knee.

Connector assemblies, systems, and methods thereof. A connector having body having a first end and a second end; a first connecting member at the first end, the first connecting member having a rod supporting member extending away from the first connector and a passage extending between the first connecting member and the rod supporting member; and a rod extending from the second end. The body and the passage extend co-axially, and a space is provided between the first end and the second end, the space being sized such that a spinal implant screw head is insertable in the space.

A spinal implant comprises a body including an inner surface that defines a cavity. The inner surface includes a baffle. The body is disposable between a contracted configuration and an in vivo expandable configuration. Systems and methods are disclosed.

A reduction sleeve for facilitating insertion of a spinal rod into a rod-receiving channel formed in a bone fixation element. The reduction sleeve may include a through-bore sized and configured to receive the bone fixation element and a substantially transverse channel sized and configured to receive the spinal rod. The channel being substantially aligned with the rod-receiving channel formed in the bone fixation element so that, once the bone fixation element has been inserted into the reduction sleeve, the spinal rod can pass through the aligned channels. The reduction sleeve may also include at least one break-off point or region for facilitating breaking and removal of the reduction sleeve once the spinal rod has been clamped into the rod-receiving channel of the bone fixation element. The reduction sleeve may also include a plurality of threads formed thereon for engaging a reduction instrument, an alignment mechanism so that the bone fixation element can only be inserted into the reduction sleeve when the rod-receiving channels are aligned, and an inwardly projecting protrusion formed on the inner surface of the reduction sleeve so that, once inserted, the projection contacts a top surface formed on the bone fixation element.