A dilation introducer for orthopedic surgery is provided for minimally invasive access for insertion of an intervertebral implant. The dilation introducer may be used to provide an access position through Kambin's triangle from a posterolateral approach. A first dilator tube with a first longitudinal axis is provided. An access cannula may be introduced over the first dilator tube. A drill may be inserted through the access cannula and used to perform a foraminoplasty, Surgical instruments may pass through the access cannula to operate on an intervertebral disc and/or insert an intervertebral implant.

A patient specific glenoid guide is provided to facilitate properly aligned implantation of a glenoid prosthesis into a patient. The guide shape is designed preoperatively based on the unique configuration of the scapula of the patient. The guide orientation is chosen preoperatively based on one or more of the bone structure of the patient, the wear pattern of the patient's glenoid cavity, the anchoring means of the glenoid prosthesis, or other aspects.

A glenoid component in one embodiment includes a base component with a planar upper circular rim defining a first plane, a receptacle opening to the first plane, and a lower planar circular surface defining a second plane parallel to the first plane. An articulating component of the glenoid component includes an upper articulating surface, a lower cylindrical coupling portion configured to be inserted into the receptacle, and an overhang portion located above the lower cylindrical coupling portion and beneath the upper articulating surface. The overhang portion includes a planar lower surface extending outwardly from the lower cylindrical coupling portion and configured to abut the planar upper circular rim of the base component when the articulating component is coupled to the base component.

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.

Method of installing a medical device in a hip joint of a human patient, said medical device comprising a first piece comprising a convex contacting surface and a second piece comprising a concave contacting surface for creating a prosthetic joint, said medical device further comprising a releasing member configured to in a first state hold said first piece attached to said second piece, and in a second state release said first piece from said second piece said method comprising the steps of exposing the hip joint through a surgical or arthroscopic procedure, fixating said first piece of said medical device to a pelvic bone, fixating said second piece of said medical device to a femoral bone, placing said first piece in connection with said second piece, and holding said first piece to said second piece using said releasing member.

A method of treating a hip joint of a human is provided. The method comprises a step of dissecting an area of the pelvic bone, comprising at least one of the following: dissecting an area between peritoneum and the pelvic bone, dissecting an area between the pelvic bone and the surrounding tissue, dissecting an area of the pelvic region, and dissecting an area of the inguinal region, or, the method comprises at least two of the following steps: dissecting an area of the abdominal cavity, penetrating the hip joint capsule, dissecting an area between peritoneum and the pelvic bone, dissecting an area of the pelvic bone which comprises: dissecting an area between the pelvic bone and the surrounding tissue, or dissecting an area of the pelvic region, or dissecting an area of the inguinal region, and removing or penetrating the tissue surrounding the pelvic bone in the area opposite to acetabulum.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention is generally described as a lordotic pre-sacral rod implant, or implant construct, for use in association with spinal fusion procedures. In an embodiment, the lordotic pre-sacral rod implant incorporates a washer configured to press against the endplate of the L5 vertebral body and thereby force the vertebral bodies of the lumbosacral junction into a lordotic orientation.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention is generally described as a lordotic pre-sacral rod implant, or implant construct, for use in association with spinal fusion procedures. In an embodiment, the lordotic pre-sacral rod implant incorporates a washer configured to press against the endplate of the L5 vertebral body and thereby force the vertebral bodies of the lumbosacral junction into a lordotic orientation.

A hip/shoulder prosthesis includes: a head component; a metaphyseal component; a diaphyseal nail, and a locking device. The head component includes: a front face and rear face; with a bore, and first and second shaped recesses in the rear face. The metaphyseal component includes: a central transverse aperture at an angle to the metaphyseal component's axis; a first end configured for threaded engagement within the bore of the head component; and a longitudinal hole that begins at the second end, transects the transverse aperture and reaches the first end, to receive the locking device. The diaphyseal nail is inserted in the femoral or humeral canal, and includes: fastening apertures that receive corresponding screws for fastening the diaphyseal nail to the femur or humerus; a portion configured to be received within, and engage, the transverse aperture of the metaphyseal component, and a transverse hole configured to receive the locking device.

An apparatus and a method are provided for performing cartilage graft implant surgeries. The apparatus comprises a graft plug kit comprising one or more grafts configured to treat osteochondral defects in various bone joint locations in a patient's body. Each of the grafts comprises a cartilage layer coupled with a bone portion. The cartilage layer comprises a thickness selected to closely match the thickness of existing cartilage at an implant location. The bone portion comprises surface features configured to encourage the patient's bone tissue to grow into the bone portion, thereby accelerating incorporation of the graft into the patient's bone. An instrument kit comprises a multiplicity of instruments configured for implantation of the grafts into the patient's body, including at least a graft inserter, a guidewire, a reamer, and a size gauge.