A medical device for implantation in a hip joint of a human patient, the natural hip joint having a ball shaped caput femur as the proximal part of the femoral bone with a convex hip joint surface towards the center of the hip joint and a bowl shaped acetabulum as part of the pelvic bone with a concave hip joint surface towards the center of the hip joint. The medical device comprising; an artificial caput femur, comprising a convex surface towards the center of the hip joint. The artificial convex caput femur is adapted to, when implanted: be fixated to the pelvic bone of the human patient, and be in movable connection with an artificial acetabulum surface fixated to the femoral bone of the patient, thereby forming a ball and socket joint. The medical device further comprises a fixation element comprising a fixation surface adapted to be in contact with the surface of the acetabulum and adapted to fixate the artificial convex caput femur to at least the acetabulum of the pelvic bone.

A distractor device includes a longitudinal guiding element and a longitudinal driving element, such as a threaded rod, which may be arranged substantially parallel to the guiding element such that the threaded rod may rotate about a rotation axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the guiding element. First and second distractor arms are arranged extending along first and second lateral axes from the guiding element. The first and second lateral axes are substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the guiding element. The first and second distractor arms are captively displaceable along the guiding element, such that the first and second distractor arms are displaceable away from each other by rotating the threaded rod in a first rotational direction, and towards each other by rotating the threaded rod in a second rotational direction, the second rotational direction being opposite to the first rotational direction.

A minimally invasive surgical procedure for replacing a hip joint is provided. A main incision is initiated at a point being a projection of a tip of a greater trochanter and extends proximally about a distance in the range of from 1 cm to 8 cm in line with the femoral axis. An inline capsulotomy is performed, while keeping muscles and posterior capsule intact, to expose the hip joint capsule for accessing the hip joint. The femoral canal is prepared for receipt of a femoral implant. The femoral head is resected and removed out of the acetabulum. A step of acetabular preparation is performed using a retractor comprising two tip rails, each tip rail having a plurality of tines. Related tools, devices, systems and methods are also provided.

The Modified anatomical direct lateral approach (Vitosha approach), a novel approach in hip arthroplasty, preserving the iliofemoral ligament and restoring the joint capsule, providing higher initial joint stability and easier rehabilitation without the need for post-operative patients' dislocation precautions is provided. The fascial incision curves along the posterior aspect of the greater trochanter and ends at its lower border, preventing a split of vastus lateralis muscle. The anterolateral periosteal layer which conjoins the gluteus medius and vastus lateralis muscles is sharply elevated from the greater trochanter. Gluteus medius muscle and the underlying gluteus minimus are split along its fibers and retracted anteriorly. A vertical capsular incision is made anterior to the femoral shaft, starting from the basicervical line and extending proximally along the longitudinal body axis, with the iliofemoral ligament fibers remained intact.

A system and method for mitigating potential for injurious effects through hip traction forces during a hip arthroscopy procedure or the like utilises a traction force measuring device arranged to measure traction force applied to a patient during the procedure. A digital processor is configured to periodically receive data signals indicative of the measured traction force during the procedure and provide visual indications of applied force and recommended force limits. The processor is configured to generate an alert signal in the event that the measured traction force exceeds a maximum force threshold level that is least partially based on a predetermined body mass (weight) of the patient.

Methods and apparatus for performing joint laxity measurement are disclosed. A retractor includes a plurality of spacers, such as plates, that are capable of being moved from a central portion of the retractor by a carriage mechanism. In some cases, the carriage mechanism may press against ramps connected to internal sides of the plates, thereby causing the plates to be displaced outwardly. In other cases, the carriage mechanism may include blades that rotate and press against the internal sides of the plates, thereby causing the plates to be displaced outwardly. The retractor is mounted on a surgical device configured to actuate the carriage mechanism. When the retractor is placed in a joint and the carriage mechanism is actuated, a measurement of the joint laxity may be determined based upon characteristics of the retractor and/or the surgical device.

An implantable medical device for implantation in a hip joint of a human patient 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.

Devices and methods are disclosed herein for accessing the hip joint. A first device can be securely attached to the capsule of a joint. The first device can tent the capsule to increase the volume of the peripheral compartment. A second device can be biased against the first device to pierce the tented capsule and create a portal. Devices and methods are also disclosed herein for distending the capsule of a joint. A distention device may access a portal established within the capsule. The distention device can expand the capsule by applying an expansive force within the peripheral compartment. The distention device can maintain distention of the peripheral compartment while other devices access the joint.

A force-sensing joint tensioner assembly, surgical system, and method of use is provided. The joint tensioner assembly can include a housing that is configured to receive a fluid from a pump and a movable member that is configured to translate relative to the housing as the fluid is pumped into the housing. The tensioner and/or a surgical system including the tensioner can further include a pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure exerted by the movable member as the movable member translates and distracts the patient's joint. A surgical computer system can be configured to determine a distraction distance of the joint according to a volume of the fluid pumped into the joint tensioner assembly by the pump and/or determine a pressure exerted by the movable member according to the pressure sensor.

A method of treating a patient's joint having opposing joint surfaces includes providing an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end and an expandable member near the distal end. The expandable member is positioned in the joint between the joint surfaces and expanded so as to separate the joint surfaces away from one another into a distracted position. The joint is manipulated while in the distracted position so that the joint is distracted and in flexion. A diagnostic or therapeutic procedure is then performed on the joint while maintaining the joint in the flexed and distracted position.