Methods of joint repair employing sutures and attached fixation devices are discussed. For example, a bone block graft procedure (e.g., Latarjet) is discussed which employs fixation devices to secure contact between graft surfaces of two bones. A suture construct, including a continuous suture loop routed through a first fastener, is secured to a first bone. Looped ends of the suture loop are passed through passageways formed in the two bones. The looped suture ends are further routed through a second fastener. The second fastener is mounted to the second bone and a sliding knot, formed in the looped suture ends, is advanced into contact with the second fastener. The suture is further tensioned using a tensioner device to secure the two bones together.

Methods of joint repair employing sutures and attached fixation devices are discussed. For example, a bone block graft procedure (e.g., Latarjet) is discussed which employs fixation devices to secure contact between graft surfaces of two bones. A suture construct, including a continuous suture loop routed through a first fastener, is secured to a first bone. Looped ends of the suture loop are passed through passageways formed in the two bones. The looped suture ends are further routed through a second fastener. The second fastener is mounted to the second bone and a sliding knot, formed in the looped suture ends, is advanced into contact with the second fastener. The suture is further tensioned using a tensioner device to secure the two bones together.

Surgical drill guides having a guide shaft and a set of distal guide teeth extending from the guide shaft. The guide shaft has proximal and distal portions having two distinct inner and outer diameters, with a tapered zone extending between the two portions. Wall thickness is maintained or increased from the proximal portion to the distal portion of the shaft, reinforcing the rigidity of both the shaft and the distal guide teeth.

A method for inserting an interspinous spinal implant into an opened gap between first and second spinous processes of adjacent superior and inferior vertebras, respectively includes the following. First forming an opened gap between a first spinous processes of a superior vertebra and a second spinous processes of an adjacent inferior vertebra by first inserting a decompression knife into diseased areas of the adjacent superior and inferior vertebras, then cutting fascia tissue, then separating soft tissue from bone by rocking the decompression knife back and forth, and then inserting a broach cutter into the diseased areas of the adjacent superior and inferior vertebras and cutting interspinous ligament between the adjacent superior and inferior vertebras. Next, determining and selecting an appropriate sized and shaped interspinous spinal implant for the opened gap by inserting a sizing tool into the opened gap, and sizing the opened gap with the sizing tool. Next, inserting the selected interspinous spinal implant into the opened gap with an insertion tool, and then compressing first and second elongated components of the interspinous spinal implant onto first and second opposite sides of the first and second spinous processes with a compressor tool, respectively. Finally, locking the interspinous spinal implant onto the first and second spinous processes of the adjacent superior and inferior vertebras with a locking driver.

Tools and methods for expanding a precursor hole in a host material to receive a fixture. The precursor hole is enlarged by a rotary tool having helical flutes and interposed lands. The flutes have a negative rake angle. The lands each have a working edge that cuts the host material when the tool is rotated in a cutting direction, and that condenses the host material when the tool is rotated in a densifying direction. The body of the rotary tool has a stopper section that plugs the hole when a certain depth is reached. When the tool is used with a copious wash of irrigating fluid at or below the necessary depth, hydraulic pressure builds inside the precursor hole. The hydraulic pressure can be advantageously exploited in cutting mode to autograft a slurry of host material particles into the sidewalls of the hole and create an incipient densifying crust.

An anti-skive bone drill assembly is provided, and may be used for spinal surgical procedures. The anti-skive assembly can include a sheath, a drill bit disposed within the sheath, and a mechanism for maneuvering the drill bit within the sheath. The anti-skive assembly, and particularly the sheath, may be mounted in a surgical robot. The anti-skive assembly may be used to side cut a bone to create a flattened surface in an otherwise non-perpendicular bone surface.

An anti-skive bone drill assembly is provided, and may be used for spinal surgical procedures. The anti-skive assembly can include a sheath, a drill bit disposed within the sheath, and a mechanism for maneuvering the drill bit within the sheath. The anti-skive assembly, and particularly the sheath, may be mounted in a surgical robot. The anti-skive assembly may be used to side cut a bone to create a flattened surface in an otherwise non-perpendicular bone surface.

A stylet control system for selectively advancing and retracting a stylet includes a stylet having a first end and a second end, the second end being threaded, a screwdriver defining a bore for receiving a portion of the stylet and having a screw-engaging end for engaging a screw, the stylet being rotationally fixed relative to the screwdriver. The system includes a control device having a passage for receiving the screwdriver and having an inner portion defining a lumen for receiving the portion of the stylet, the inner portion being threaded for engaging the threaded second end of the stylet, when the screwdriver is rotated in the first rotation direction and the control device is prevented from rotating, the screwdriver advances the screw in the first axial direction and the stylet retracts in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction.

Drilling devices, systems, kits and methods for drilling cartilage defects are disclosed. A system includes a handle device having an adjustable shaft collar rotatable to adjust a drill set distance between the adjustable shaft collar and the handle. The handle device can include a distal drill guide extending from the handle at an end opposite the adjustable shaft collar. The system includes a drill collar attachable to a drill bit and configured to remain stationary along a length of the drill bit once attached. The system includes a rotatable disk positionable between the adjustable shaft collar and the drill collar. The rotatable disk can include a central hole sized to accept the drill bit.

Methods and systems are disclosed for accessing and treating the interior of the facet joint for vertebral distraction and immobilization. The systems include a number of tools that facilitate access to the facet joint, distraction of the articulating decortication of the articulating surfaces, and delivery of implants and agents into the facet joint for fusion.