A glenoid implant is disclosed which has a protruding surface on a first side arranged to engage the surface of a cavity formed in a glenoid extending between peripheral glenoid surfaces and a flat surface adjacent the protruding surface of the implant arranged to engage the peripheral glenoid surfaces adjacent the cavity. The implant also has a wear-resistant surface on a second side opposite the flat surface and the protruding surface.

A transhumeral drill guide and protective sleeve are disclosed which are utilized in a method for shoulder joint surface replacement surgery that spares the rotator cuff. The method utilizes two passages to gain access to the glenohumeral joint, neither of which requires transection of the rotator cuff.

Oscillating rasps for the surgical preparation of the bone prior to the implantation of a glenoid or acetabular component with complex geometry are disclosed. Surgical methods for the use of such oscillating rasps are also disclosed.

A method of surgically preparing a proximal end of a tibia includes inserting an intramedullary orthopedic surgical instrument into a medullary canal of the tibia, securing an attachment device to the intramedullary orthopedic surgical instrument, attaching a cutting block to the attachment device, resecting the proximal end of the tibia using the cutting block to form a surgically-prepared surface, positioning a tibial base trial on the surgically-prepared surface, and inserting a keel punch through a slot defined in the tibial base trial and into the surgically-prepared surface of the tibia.

Reciprocating rasps for the surgical preparation of the bone prior to the implantation of a glenoid or acetabular component with complex geometry are disclosed. Surgical methods for the use of such reciprocating rasps are also disclosed. Some of the methods include inserting a guide pin into the glenoid of the patient, advancing a reciprocating surgical rasp over the guide pin, reciprocating the surgical rasp so as to abrade bone tissue to form a cavity shaped to receive the glenoid component, and implanting the glenoid component in the cavity.

Systems and methods for ligament balancing during robotic surgery. One or more transducers are positioned within a knee joint to detect forces indicative of tension in ligaments and to provide output based on the detected forces. A distraction device is used to provide a distraction force to cause movement of a distal end portion of a femur relative to a proximal end portion of a tibia to increase tension in the ligaments. Information associated with output from the transducers is displayed for viewing.

A tibial augment for use with a knee joint prosthesis, composed of annular members of different stock sizes, each size being configured to fit within a cavity formed in a human tibia. The augment may include a stepped distal surface. A provisional (temporary) tibial augment used to ensure a proper fit for the permanent augment is also provided. The provisional may include grooves configured to cooperate with a set of ribs on a tong-like holder used for removing the provisional from the cavity. A pusher for use implanting the tibial augment is also provided. In addition, a system for creating a cavity in a human tibia is also described. The system preferably includes a guide with a slot therein and a set of osteotomes that are inserted to within different portions of the slot. Methods for using the tools and/or implanting the prosthetic devices discussed above are also described.

An orthopedic reamer connector includes a base shaped to allow for connection of an orthopedic reamer having a connection surface and being configured to rotatably connect to a rotary actuator; two pairs of holders associated with the connection surface that each have a first holder and a second holder that forms an acute angle relative to said first holder. The first holders are opposed to each other by about 180 degrees and the second holders are opposed to each other by about 180 degrees. A pair of stops are associated with each of the two pairs of holders. Each pair of stops has a first stop associated with the first holder and a second stop associated with the second holder.

Described herein are elongate devices for modifying tissue having a plurality of flexibly connected rungs or links, and methods of using them, including methods of using them to decompress stenotic spinal tissue. These devices may be included as part of a system for modifying tissue. In general, these devices include a plurality of blades positioned on (or formed from) rungs that are flexibly connected. The rungs are typically rigid, somewhat flat and wider than they are long (e.g., rectangular). The rungs may be arranged, ladder like, and may be connected by a flexible connector substrate or between two or more cables. Different sized rungs may be used. The blades (on the rungs) may be arranged in a staggered arrangement. A tissue-collection or tissue capture element may be used to collect the cut or modified tissue.

A probe unit includes, a probe configured to treat a bone by ultrasonic vibration, a hollow sheath which surrounds the probe and which has a first portion at a small distance from a central axis, and a second portion at a greater distance from the central axis than the first portion, and a knob configured to rotate the sheath relative to the probe between a first position for insertion between the bone and a living tissue facing the bone so that the first portion is located between the bone and the living tissue and a second position for insertion between the bone and the living tissue so that the second portion is located between the bone and the living tissue.