This present invention relates to medical procedures and distraction devices for internal joint distraction.

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.

A soft tissue protector comprising a hollow body, a plurality of jaws at an anterior end of the hollow body forming a conical tip, an insert that is inserted inside of a posterior end of the hollow body, at least one handle, and a sliding lock on the handle that retains the insert inside of the hollow body.

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 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.

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.

A minimally invasive hip arthroplasty technique involves intramedullary insertion of an elongate femoral broach into a femur. The broach has a superior lateromedial transverse bore. A reaming rod is then located through the transverse bore and the neck of the femur. A cutting head is coupled to a distal end of the reaming rod via an incision. An orthogonal drive arm of an arthroplasty jig may also be inserted behind the cutting head to press the cutting head to ream the acetabulum while the reaming rod rotates the cutting head.

A method of establishing access to a hip joint is disclosed. Pre-operative images of the hip joint are processed to produce a first three-dimensional model (pelvis) and a second three-dimensional model (femur). Data from the first probe and data from the second probe are collected and processed to produce a third three-dimensional model (pelvis) and a fourth three-dimensional model (femur), respectively. The first and third three-dimensional models are aligned to produce a first aligned model (pelvis), and the second and fourth three-dimensional models are aligned to produce a second aligned model (femur). A target location is determined between the first and second aligned models, and an entry vector cone is determined from the target location. A navigated guide wire is inserted along the entry vector cone to the target location.

An orthopedic retractor includes a handle having a first end and a second end, an acetabular component removably coupled to the second end of the handle, and a hook element having a first end removably coupled to the handle at a location between the first and second ends. The hook element also includes a second end and a curve disposed between the first and second ends. Further, the acetabular component is configured to interfit with an acetabulum for anchor and provide a fulcrum for the retractor.

A support apparatus for supporting an end of a distraction marrow nail includes a base plate attachable to the pelvis, and a mounting device on the base plate for mounting of the support end of the distraction marrow nail. The mounting device includes a ball seat having a cavity forming a ball seat surface for mounting a ball on the support end of the distraction marrow nail, wherein the inside radius of the ball seat surface corresponds to the outside radius of the ball, and wherein the ball seat is arranged so that the ball of the distraction marrow nail can be movably mounted such that the distraction marrow nail can perform a movement sufficient for an extensively normal movement pattern of a femur and cannot luxate out of the ball seat when implanted in the femur.