A device comprises a base. A support is attached to the base. The support is shaped to receive a calf of a person and adapted to receive a wire or pin for securing a tibia of a person. A foot plate is attachable to the base. The foot plate has a plurality of attached members. The members are configured for receiving at least a first wire or pin to fix a foot of the person relative to the foot plate while the foot plate is oriented normal to a superior-inferior direction of the foot. The foot plate is rotatable relative to the base while the foot plate is attached to the base.

A device includes a plurality of rings. Each ring has a first face, a second face, and at least one slot defined by first and second interior edges of the ring on opposing sides of the slot. The at least one slot penetrates from the first face to the second face. The first face of each ring has a first recess adjacent the slot on the first edge and a second recess adjacent the slot on the second edge. A plurality of posts join each one of the plurality of rings to an adjacent one of the plurality of rings.

An orthopedic tool includes a main body and a reference member. The reference member may be configured to engage an anatomical feature of a patient, such as the patient's bone. The angle of the reference member may be adjusted using a knob.

A method and system for performing a total joint arthroplasty procedure on a patient's damaged bone region. A CT image or other suitable image is formed of the damaged bone surfaces, and location coordinate values (x.sub.n,y.sub.n,z.sub.n) are determined for a selected sequence of bone surface locations using the CT image data. A mathematical model z=f(x,y) of a surface that accurately matches the bone surface coordinates at the selected bone splice locations, or matches surface normal vector components at selected bone surface locations, is determined. The model provides a production file from which a cutting jig and an implant device (optional), each patient-specific and having controllable alignment, are fabricated for the damaged bone by automated processing. At this point, the patient is cut open (once), the cutting jig and a cutting instrument are used to remove a selected portion of the bone and to provide an exposed planar surface, the implant device is optionally secured to and aligned with the remainder of the bone, and the patient's incision is promptly repaired.

A method and system for performing a total joint arthroplasty procedure on a patient's damaged bone region. A CT image or other suitable image is formed of the damaged bone surfaces, and location coordinate values (x.sub.n,y.sub.n,z.sub.n) are determined for a selected sequence of bone surface locations using the CT image data. A mathematical model z=f(x,y) of a surface that accurately matches the bone surface coordinates at the selected bone spice locations, or matches surface normal vector components at selected bone surface locations, is determined. The model provides a production file from which a cutting jig and an implant device (optional), each patient-specific and having controllable alignment, are fabricated for the damaged bone by automated processing. At this point, the patient is cut open (once), the cutting jig and a cutting instrument are used to remove a selected portion of the bone and to provide an exposed planar surface, the implant device is optionally secured to and aligned with the remainder of the bone, and the patient's incision is promptly repaired.

A dual reconstructive wire system for use with an anatomy can include a first guide wire, a second guide wire, a first guide instrument a first cannulated insertion instrument, and a second cannulated insertion instrument. The first guide wire can pass through the first cannulated insertion instrument such that a first end and a second end of the first guide wire extends beyond the first end and the second end, respectively of the first cannulated insertion instrument. The second guide wire can pass through the second cannulation insertion instrument such that a first end and a second end of the second guide wire extends beyond the first end and the second end, respectively of the second cannulated insertion instrument.

A method and system for performing a total joint arthroplasty procedure on a patient's damaged bone region. A CT image or other suitable image is formed of the damaged bone surfaces, and location coordinate values (x.sub.n,y.sub.n,z.sub.n) are determined for a selected sequence of bone surface locations using the CT image data. A mathematical model z=f(x,y) of a surface that accurately matches the bone surface coordinates at the selected bone spice locations, or matches surface normal vector components at selected bone surface locations, is determined. The model provides a production file from which a cutting jig and an implant device (optional), each patient-specific and having controllable alignment, are fabricated for the damaged bone by automated processing. At this point, the patient is cut open (once), the cutting jig and a cutting instrument are used to remove a selected portion of the bone and to provide an exposed planar surface, the implant device is optionally secured to and aligned with the remainder of the bone, and the patient's incision is promptly repaired.

A dual reconstructive wire system for use with an anatomy can include a first guide wire, a second guide wire, a first guide instrument, a first cannulated insertion instrument, and a second cannulated insertion instrument. The first guide wire can pass through the first cannulated insertion instrument such that a first end and a second end of the first guide wire extends beyond the first end and the second end, respectively of the first cannulated insertion instrument. The second guide wire can pass through the second cannulation insertion instrument such that a first end and a second end of the second guide wire extends beyond the first end and the second end, respectively of the second cannulated insertion instrument.

A method and system for performing a total joint arthroplasty procedure on a patient's damaged bone region. A CT image or other suitable image is formed of the damaged bone surfaces, and location coordinate values (x.sub.n,y.sub.n,z.sub.n) are determined for a selected sequence of bone surface locations using the CT image data. A mathematical model z=f(x,y) of a surface that accurately matches the bone surface coordinates at the selected bone spice locations, or matches surface normal vector components at selected bone surface locations, is determined. The model provides a production file from which a cutting jig and an implant device (optional), each patient-specific and having controllable alignment, are fabricated for the damaged bone by automated processing. At this point, the patient is cut open (once), the cutting jig and a cutting instrument are used to remove a selected portion of the bone and to provide an exposed planar surface, the implant device is optionally secured to and aligned with the remainder of the bone, and the patient's incision is promptly repaired.

The present invention provides an external fixator (1) for fixation of a joint, such as a proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint of a finger, and a kit comprising a congruent pair of such external fixators (1). The external fixator (1) comprises a rigid planar member made of a radio-transparent material. The planar member comprises a circular through hole (6) and a rectilinear main slot (10), which is radially aligned with the through hole (6). The external fixator (1) may also comprise a circular arc (8) of radio-opaque material centred on the through hole (6), a tail (14) to aid in its manipulation, and one or more subsidiary slots (20). The main and subsidiary slots (10, 20) have dentilated inner surfaces. In addition to a congruent pair of external fixators (1), the kit may further comprise a plurality of Kirschner wires and one or more stoppers (not shown). In use, the pair of external fixators are placed transversely on each lateral side of a patient's finger, a first one of the Kirschner wires is inserted through the through holes (6) in each external fixator (1) and through the condyle or head of the proximal phalanx. A second one of the Kirschner wires is inserted through the main slot (10) in each external fixator (1) and through the middle phalanx. The third Kirschner wire is inserted through a convenient one of the subsidiary slots (20) in each external fixator (1) and through, over or under the middle phalanx or a fragment thereof. Movement of the second Kirschner wire along the main slots (10) in the direction of arrow D can be used to apply a distraction force to the joint. Movement of the third Kirschner wire along the one of the subsidiary slots (20) towards the main slot (10) can be used to reduce subluxation of the middle phalanx or a fragment thereof. The one or more stoppers, which engage with the dentilated inner surfaces of the main and subsidiary slots (10, 20), prevent backwards movement of the Kirschner wires along the main and/or subsidiary slots (10, 20) thereafter. The invention also provides a method which comprises providing a congruent pair of such external fixators (1) for use in a surgical operation.