A system and method for sharing and absorbing energy between body parts. In one particular aspect, the system facilitates absorbing energy between members forming a joint such as between articulating bones.

A medicated patching system for positioning a plurality of medicated patches around an orthopaedic device extending through a patient's skin is provided. Each of the plurality of medicated patches includes an outer end and an opposite inner end. Each of the plurality of medicated patches also includes an upper layer and a bottom layer extending between the outer end and the inner end. A medication is positioned between the upper layer and the bottom layer. A recess extends from the inner end toward the outer end.

An external load bearing distracting device, which can be positioned to fully unload a knee joint cartilage while providing the knee joint normal motion, for an articulating anatomical joint. The device includes first and second rotatable extensions arranged longitudinally on opposite sides of the joint, and first and second translational inserts slidably arranged inside the first and second rotatable extensions, respectively. The joint may comprise a ball-and-ring-joint or a cardan joint. The first and second translational inserts include a threaded portion and a pair of threaded nuts thereon, which abut a retainer on each of the first and second rotatable extensions to limit longitudinal translation. The external load-bearing distracting device is temporarily attached to the patient, preferably for a period of 6 to 8 weeks, and is intended for use to treat osteoarthritis, focal cartilage defects, and fractures inside the knee joint, among other conditions of articulating anatomical joints.

An orthopedic spring hinge and associated external fixation systems for the treatment of anatomical joint dysfunctions, and more particularly, to a spring hinge comprising a first base member, a second base member, a flexible first spring having a first longitudinal axis extending from the first base member to the second base member, and a flexible second spring spaced apart from the first spring and having a second longitudinal axis extending from the first base member to the second base member. The spring hinge is configured to have a maximum bending resistance in a first plane extending between the first spring and the second spring and a minimum bending resistance in a second plane orthogonal to the first plane.

A tensegrity external fixation system utilizes a tensegrity external fixator having a compression portion and a tension portion that create a force to distract bone. A tensegrity external fixator has a compressor assembly with an extension that is compresses by a tension element, such as a tension band. In an embodiment, the tension band is coupled with a bone via a stud that is attached to the bone. The tension band may extend through a stud retainer, such as a loop coupled with the stud. A single extension may be used and compressed to cause the extension to bow between a tension band or wires. In an exemplary embodiment, a compressor assembly has a compression element that is compressed by the one or more extensions. Two extensions may extend from a compressor coupling having a compression element and manipulation of the extensions may place the compression element in compression.

A footplate assembly for ankle includes a footplate base; a slider arm that is rotatably coupled to the footplate base, the slider arm being configured to be couplable to external ankle instrumentation; a locking fastener configured to lock the slider arm in a chosen orientation relative to the footplate base; and a knob coupled to the footplate base having a scale to display the angle of the slider arm relative to the footplate base.

A compressor-distractor device may be used during a surgical procedure, such as a surgical procedure to correct a bunion deformity. In some examples, the compressor-distractor includes first and second engagement arms having first and second pin-receiving holes, respectively. The first and second pin-receiving holes may be angled relative to each other. The compressor-distractor may also include an actuator operatively coupled to the first and second engagement arms. In some example uses, a clinician may pin a first surgical device to a patient's bones use a pair of parallel pins. After removing the surgical device over the parallel pins, the clinician may thread the parallel pins through the angled first and second pin-receiving holes of the compressor-distractor, causing the bones to move relative to each other. Thereafter, the clinician may actuate the actuator on the compressor-distractor to move the bones towards and/or away from each other.

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 compressor-distractor device may be used during a surgical procedure, such as a surgical procedure to correct a bunion deformity. In some examples, the compressor-distractor includes first and second engagement arms having first and second pin-receiving holes, respectively. The first and second pin-receiving holes may be angled relative to each other. The compressor-distractor may also include an actuator operatively coupled to the first and second engagement arms. In some example uses, a clinician may pin a first surgical device to a patient's bones use a pair of parallel pins. After removing the surgical device over the parallel pins, the clinician may thread the parallel pins through the angled first and second pin-receiving holes of the compressor-distractor, causing the bones to move relative to each other. Thereafter, the clinician may actuate the actuator on the compressor-distractor to move the bones towards and/or away from each other.

Female polyaxial joints for connecting a strut to a support frame of an external fixation device are described having a ball socket and a ball member. The ball member includes a spherical portion and a ball member shaft extending from the spherical portion. At least one aperture is positioned on the ball member and traverses through at least a portion of the ball member shaft. An internal surface of the ball member shaft may be threaded and configured to receive a threaded connector.