A monoplanar device for stabilizing and distracting an anatomical joint is disclosed including first and second shafts having engagement features that form a hinge joint with a single axis of rotation, the shafts being constrained by the hinge joint to move relative to one another only around the single axis of the hinge joint. The shafts and the hinge joint are disposed in a single plane with the single axis being about orthogonal thereto. A first clamp having a recess and a pin hole is slidingly disposed on the first shaft, and a second clamp having a pin hole is slidingly disposed on the second shaft. The pin holes are arranged to receive bone pins for insertion into bones adjacent to the anatomical joint. A distraction screw disposed between a threaded partial bore of the first shaft and the recess rotates to advance the first clamp along the first shaft.

A bone positioning device can include a fixation pin for attachment to a first bone and a fixation pin for attachment to a second bone. A first block having an aperture can be included for slidably receiving a fixation pin, and a second block having an aperture can be included for slidably receiving a fixation pin. A multi-axis joint can connect the first block and the second block, where the multi-axis joint allows the first second blocks to move with respect to each other about more than one axis.

An external fixation strut and corresponding systems and methods of use with a bone alignment device are disclosed. The external fixation strut may provide an enhanced range of adjustable lengths and may be connected to a bone alignment device, thereby enabling the bone alignment device to be used over a larger workable range. As a result, comfort of a patient may be improved as the need to switch out the external fixation strut may be prevented. The external fixation strut may also include a single measurement scale that may be easily viewed and used to adjust the length of the external fixation strut, thereby ensuring more accurate length adjustments.

A dynamic foot plate assembly structured for therapeutic use adjacent the ankle area of the body comprising a base element, at least one side element extending along the ankle area, and at least one joint movably and adjustably connecting the base element to the side element for variable displacement of the base element and side element into different operative orientations. The dynamic foot plate assembly may also comprise a plurality of strut members disposed in an interconnecting relationship between either a support member and a side element, or the support member and the base element. The strut members, if present, facilitate the variable relative displacement of the base element, side element and support member into different operative orientations.

A method of performing a bunion surgery may involve positioning a first portion of a bone positioning device over a first cuneiform and positioning a second portion of the bone positioning device over a first metatarsal with the bone positioning device extending across a joint separating the two bones. The second portion of the bone positioning device can be adjusted relative to the first portion about a first axis and about a second axis. The method may involve moving the second portion of the bone positioning device relative to the first portion of the bone positioning device about the first axis and the second axis, thereby moving the first metatarsal relative to the first cuneiform in a first plane and a second plane. The method may also involve fixing a position of the first metatarsal relative to the first cuneiform with a bone connector.

An strut assembly extends along a strut axis and comprises a strut body, an actuator, and a locking assembly. The strut body includes a rod and a sleeve. The rod is translatable relative to the sleeve along the strut axis. The actuator is linearly engaged with the sleeve such that linear movement of the actuator causes linear movement of the sleeve. The locking assembly includes a lock member configured to transition between a locked position in which the lock member engages both the sleeve and the actuator such that rotation between the sleeve and the actuator is substantially prevented, and an unlocked position in which the lock member is spaced apart from the sleeve such that the actuator is substantially free to rotate about the sleeve.

A method of performing bunion surgery may involve attaching a bone positioning device to a first metatarsal and to a first cuneiform across a joint separating the first metatarsal from the first cuneiform. Attaching the bone positioning device can include inserting a first fixation pin into one of the first metatarsal or the first cuneiform and inserting a second fixation pin into an other of the first metatarsal or the first cuneiform. The method can involve using the bone positioning device to adjust an alignment of the first metatarsal relative to the first cuneiform; and, after adjusting the alignment of the first metatarsal relative to the first cuneiform using the bone positioning device, fixing a position of the first metatarsal relative to the first cuneiform with a bone connector.

Disclosed are improved devices, systems and methods for attaching a rod or other connector(s) to an external fixation frame or other object.

An external fixation assembly for bone fusion or separation is disclosed. The assembly includes a fracture fusion tube, with a bracket slidably engaged thereon. The assembly further includes a collet clamp connected to the bracket, with a ball collet rotatably seated within the clamp, the ball collet having an aperture for receiving a bone bin therethrough and perforations for a compression engagement with a bone pin. The assembly uses a single screw for threadably engaging the ball collet, the clamp and the bracket such that the position of the bone pin, ball collet and bracket are all fixed.

The invention relates to an external fixator device and a method of its use in treating bone fractures and in orthopedic interventions, such as corrective osteotomies.