A method for controlling generation of biologically desirable voids in a composition placed in proximity to bone or other tissue in a patient by selecting at least one water-soluble inorganic material having a desired particle size and solubility, and mixing the water-soluble inorganic material with at least one poorly-water-soluble or biodegradable matrix material. The matrix material, after it is mixed with the water-soluble inorganic material, is placed into the patient in proximity to tissue so that the water-soluble inorganic material dissolves at a predetermined rate to generate biologically desirable voids in the matrix material into which bone or other tissue can then grow.

A bone joint spacer has two endplates which have a bone engaging surface on one side, and ramps extending from an opposite side. A shaft has a threaded end, and another end which has ramp followers which mate with the endplate ramps of both endplates. A collar slides over the threaded end of the shaft, and also has ramp followers which mate with the endplate ramps of both endplates. A nut threads onto the end of the shaft and pushes the collar towards the ramp followers of the shaft. This movement causes the ramp followers to slide the ramp followers of the collar and the shaft against the endplate ramps, pushing the endplates apart. Two of these spacers can be combined by a link plate so that the spacers can be aligned or curved into a U-shape to be inserted into the body and positioned between bony surfaces, respectively.

A method for controlling generation of biologically desirable voids in a composition placed in proximity to bone or other tissue in a patient by selecting at least one water-soluble inorganic material having a desired particle size and solubility, and mixing the water-soluble inorganic material with at least one poorly-water-soluble or biodegradable matrix material. The matrix material, after it is mixed with the water-soluble inorganic material, is placed into the patient in proximity to tissue so that the water-soluble inorganic material dissolves at a predetermined rate to generate biologically desirable voids in the matrix material into which bone or other tissue can then grow.

An implant having a surface layer consisting of fibres and a matrix, having a first surface opposite to a second surface, and having a thickness that is at most 5% of the largest dimension of the surface layer; a porous biodegradable part having a first surface and opposite to a second surface, where its first surface is attached to the surface layer's second surface and having a thickness of 1-8 mm; and a collagen membrane layer having a first surface opposite to a second surface, where its first surface is attached to the porous part's second surface without covering the porous part's edges; and where the porous part comprises material selected from the group consisting of bioactive glass, bioactive ceramic, hydroxyapatite, tricalciumphosphate and mixtures thereof.

The present disclosure includes, in one embodiment, a talar component of an ankle joint prosthesis for engagement with a talus bone having a medial side wall and a lateral side wall, opposite the medial side wall, each side wall terminating at a distal edge, and the distal edges adapted to drive into the talus bone. When implanted, the side walls may form a seal between the talus bone and the component to prevent fluid from flowing under the component.

A surgical implant system includes an implant and a fixation member for securing the implant to tissue. The implant and the fixation member together comprise a single monolithic structure. The implant includes an insertion instrument. The implant, the fixation member, and the insertion instrument together comprise a single monolithic structure and are constructed from a single material. The implant is monolithically connected to the fixation member at a first frangible connection and is monolithically connected to the insertion instrument at a second frangible connection. Each of the frangible connections can be broken when force is applied.

An apparatus and methods are provided for a tapered implant for treating osteochondral/subchondral defects. The tapered implant comprises a top portion that includes a shape that approximates an osteochondral/subchondral surface to be replaced. A bottom portion of the tapered implant is configured to be implanted into a hole drilled in bone. A cylindrical sidewall of the tapered implant has a diameter that generally decreases from a first diameter of the top portion to a second diameter of the bottom portion. The tapered implant comprises any homogenous synthetic or natural material suitable for implantation into bone, including any of collagen, human or animal allograft, silicone, bioglass, peek, polyethylene, titanium, and cobalt chrome, and any combination thereof.

An apparatus and methods are provided for a tapered implant for treating osteochondral/subchondral defects. The tapered implant comprises a top portion that includes a shape that approximates an osteochondral/subchondral surface to be replaced. A bottom portion of the tapered implant is configured to be implanted into a hole drilled in bone. A cylindrical sidewall of the tapered implant has a diameter that generally decreases from a first diameter of the top portion to a second diameter of the bottom portion. The tapered implant comprises any homogenous synthetic or natural material suitable for implantation into bone, including any of collagen, human allograft or autograft, animal xenograft, silicone, bioglass, peek, polyethylene, titanium, and cobalt chrome, and any combination thereof.

A surgical implant system includes an implant and a fixation member for securing the implant to tissue. The implant and the fixation member together comprise a single monolithic structure. The implant includes an insertion instrument. The implant, the fixation member, and the insertion instrument together comprise a single monolithic structure and are constructed from a single material. The implant is monolithically connected to the fixation member at a first frangible connection and is monolithically connected to the insertion instrument at a second frangible connection. Each of the frangible connections can be broken when force is applied.

An implantable orthopedic wedge can include a main body having a base portion and an apical portion, the apical portion including a first end. The main body can have a thickness that tapers along a perimeter of the main body from a first thickness at the base portion to a second thickness at the apical portion. The implantable orthopedic wedge can also include a fixation member coupled to the main body and configured to receive one or more anchoring elements to anchor the wedge to an implantation site.