Systems for distracting a facet joint and positioning a permanent implant in the joint are disclosed. The implants serve to retain a distracted position of the facet joint which is achieved with positioning of the leading end of a distraction tool in the facet joint and then distracting or enlarging the joint a desired amount. The permanent implant could be part of the distraction mechanism which can be separated from the delivery tool once the joint has been distracted or an auxiliary implant may be positioned before the distraction mechanism is removed from the distracted joint. The permanent implants can be solid, mechanical devices that may have fixation means thereon to hold them in place or injected fluids such as hydrogels or fluids confined within balloons.

This disclosure relates to orthopaedic implants and methods for restoring functionality to a joint. The implants described herein may be utilized during orthopaedic procedures and may be incorporated into a shoulder prosthesis for restoring functionality to shoulders having advanced cartilage disease. The disclosed implants may incorporate one or more fasteners formed together with a main body of the respective implant at a breakable connection. The fastener may be deployed during a surgical procedure, which may improve fixation of the implant at the surgical site.

In accordance with one aspect, a spinal implant for fusing vertebral bones is provided that includes a monolithic body for being inserted between bones. The body has a through opening of the body for receiving bone growth material and a wall of the body extending about the through opening. The wall includes nubs extending into the through opening that increase the surface area of the wall available for bone on-growth.

The present invention provides a method for stabilizing a fractured bone. The method includes positioning an elongate rod in the medullary canal of the fractured bone and forming a passageway through the cortex of the bone. The passageway extends from the exterior surface of the bone to the medullary canal of the bone. The method also includes creating a bonding region on the elongate rod. The bonding region generally aligned with the passageway of the cortex. Furthermore, the method includes positioning a fastener in the passageway of the cortex and on the bonding region of the elongate rod and thermally bonding the fastener to the bonding region of the elongate rod while the fastener is positioned in the passageway of the cortex.

Improved osseointegration devices and structures, including such structures that can be used in connection with prosthetic limbs. Examples include a self-centering implant/nut configuration, a centering device, a tapered mounting screw hole, a coupling device, and an aiming device. The devices are highly efficacious. For example, they can be secured with minimal residual bone, and may be removed without significant bone destruction.

Implant assemblies, systems, and methods for stabilizing a joint between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra may include a plate member coupled to an interbody spacer with at least one fastener that extends superiorly or inferiorly from the implant assembly to anchor within a vertebral body and stabilize the joint. Inserters and methods of insertion may also be included to facilitate fixation of various implant assemblies within the intervertebral space of the joint between the superior vertebra and the inferior vertebra.

A methodology for grafting together adjacent bony structures is provided using an implant device having an endplate with an inner disc portion and outer ring portion spaced from the inner disc portion by a connecting wall disposed therebetween. An endplate interior surface includes a retaining structure for securing the endplate to one of the bony structures, and endplate an exterior surface has an integrally formed socket. A ball-joint rod has a longitudinally extending body and an end, and at least a portion of the ball-joint rod end is curvilinear in shape. The curvilinear ball-joint rod end is rotatably disposed in the endplate socket to fixedly interconnect the bony structures.

In accordance with one aspect, a spinal implant for fusing vertebral bones is provided that includes a monolithic body for being inserted between bones. The body has a through opening of the body for receiving bone growth material and a wall of the body extending about the through opening. The wall includes nubs extending into the through opening that increase the surface area of the wall available for bone on-growth.

A system for preparing a knee may include a marking guide with a handle and a tibial marking portion extending from the handle. The handle may have a tibial alignment feature shaped to be aligned with a first corresponding feature of a tibia and a tibial marking guide shaped to guide motion of a marking instrument to provide, on the tibia, a tibial mark that identifies a tibial location at which a tibial component is to be placed on the tibia. The marking guide may further have a femoral marking portion with a femoral alignment feature shaped to align the femoral marking portion with the tibial marking portion and/or the tibial mark, and a femoral marking guide shaped to guide motion of a marking instrument to provide, on a femur, a femoral mark that identifies a femoral location at which a femoral component is to be placed on the femur.

Methods and devices for correcting wear pattern defects in joints. The methods and devices described herein allow for the restoration of correcting abnormal biomechanical loading conditions in a joint brought on by wear pattern defects, and also can, in embodiments, permit correction of proper kinematic movement.