Intervertebral disc prostheses and methods of use. An intervertebral disc prosthesis for installation in a spinal column may include a first intervertebral plate, a second intervertebral plate, and a removable insert core. The first intervertebral plate may engage one or both of the inferior vertebral endplate and the inferior ring apophysis of a superior vertebral body. The second intervertebral plate may engage one or both of the superior vertebral endplate and the superior ring apophysis of an inferior vertebral body. The removable insert core is located between and engages the intervertebral plates. A projection projects from one of the intervertebral plates toward the other intervertebral plate. The removable insert core at least partially surrounds the projection when installed. The removable insert core is removable from between the intervertebral plates and from around the projection while the intervertebral plates and projection remain installed.

A total knee prosthesis system that includes a guide having first and second wedges each having a thickness configured to be located between the tibial and femoral component. When the first and second wedges are located between the tibial and femoral component, the first and second wedges align the first axle opening of the tibial component with the second axle opening of the femoral component for receipt of an axle. The guide includes a guide recess extending between the first and second wedges and a post extending into the guide recess. The guide also includes a bridge connected to and extending between the first and second wedges such that the bridge at least partially defines the guide recess.

An intersomatic cage, an intervertebral prosthesis, an anchoring device and an instrument for implantation of the cage or the prosthesis and the anchoring device are provided. An intersomatic cage or an intervertebral prosthesis fit closely to the anchoring device, which includes a body of elongated shape on a longitudinal axis, of curved shape describing, along the longitudinal axis, an arc whose dimensions and radius of curvature are designed in such a manner that the anchoring device may be implanted in the vertebral plate of a vertebra by presenting its longitudinal axis substantially along the plane of the intervertebral space, where the anchoring device is inserted, by means of the instrument, through a slot located in at least one peripheral wall of the cage or on at least one plate of the intervertebral disc prosthesis to penetrate into at least one vertebral plate.

An intervertebral disc prosthesis designed to be substituted for fibrocartilaginous discs ensures a connection between the vertebra of the vertebra column or the end of the latter. The prosthesis includes a pair of plates spaced from each other by a nucleus. The prosthesis has increased stability by providing the nucleus with a translation or rotation stop, or by inducing an angular correction between its plates contacting vertebra, or a combination of these characteristics. The stop includes parts external to the nucleus and contact surfaces perpendicular to their contact directions. Surgical methods and instrumentation for implanting the prosthesis are also described.

A component of an artificial joint according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, inter alia, a base plate and a post selectively removable from the base plate. Further, an outer surface of the post includes a layer of the bone ingrowth material along substantially the entire length of the post.

A method of inserting an expandable intervertebral implant is disclosed. The implant preferably includes first and second members capable of being expanded upon movement of first and second wedges. The first and second wedges, while being capable of moving with respect to each other and the first and second members are also preferably attached to the first and second members. In addition, the first and second wedges are preferably capable of moving only in a first direction, while movement in a second direction is inhibited. The first and second wedges are also preferably prevented from torsionally moving with respect to the first and second members.

An implant may include a first body member and a second body member, at least one bone contacting arched member, and a first external element extending from the first body member to the second body member, wherein the first external element has an undulating planar geometry in which the first external element undulates in a single plane.

A transforaminal lumbar interbody (TLIF) implant, installation tool, and method of use includes a TLIF implant having a cavity, a first slot extending along an outside surface of a first lateral wall, and a second slot extending along an outside surface of a second lateral wall, the slots configured to receive an installation tool for holding the TLIF implant. The cavity houses a first impacted blade and a second impacted blade. When driven by the installation tool, guides in the walls of the cavity direct the impacted blades along the inside of the cavity such that ends of the blades extend from the cavity and beyond the implant body. The end of the first impacted blade extends from an upper side of the cavity and beyond the implant body, while the end of the second impacted blade extends from a lower side of the cavity and beyond the implant body.

Techniques and systems for distracting a spinal disc space and supporting adjacent vertebrae are provided. Trial instruments are insertable into the disc space to determine a desired disc space height and to select a corresponding implant. Implants can be also be self-distracting and the implant providing the desired disc space height can be implanted in the spinal disc space.

A trial orthopedic implant having a plurality of bearing component augments of differing heights, where each augment releasably, slidably connected to the trial implant.